The Codiac Transpo lockout is affecting the quality of life for seniors who rely on the bus service to get around the greater Moncton area, according to a seniors' rights group.

Cecile Cassista, executive director for the Coalition for Seniors and Nursing Home Residents' Rights, said seniors are cancelling medical appointments and are unable to go grocery shopping as a result of the lockout.

She said seniors are losing their independence and that they are often too proud to ask for help.

"It's a form of isolation of seniors. It's creating frustration amongst them and it's unfortunate that we don't have the bus transportation working," she said.

The City of Moncton locked out about 90 workers four weeks ago.

The bus service also operates in Dieppe and Riverview. Cassista is a councillor-at-large in Riverview.

Cassista said one of the programs to help people get around, the taxi chit discount program, isn't appealing to seniors.

She said seniors who know about the program say it is too expensive.

Cassista said she's speaking with seniors' groups to find ways to help them get around.

Paul Thomson, a city spokesperson for Moncton, said council is not prepared to offer workers the 27 per cent wage increase they are seeking in the contract dispute.

"It's a very difficult and inconvenient situation for [seniors] and we really feel for them. There's no other way," Thomson said.

"There's nothing else we can do at this point except to say we're sorry and except to urge the union to return to the negotiating table with us and be realistic."