Mass bus cancellations

More than 150 Wellington buses were cancelled yesterday, many during the evening rush hour. Network operator Metlink put the cancellations down to driver illness and the ongoing driver shortage. ‘‘It’s the same thing that’s been happening for the past couple of weeks,’’ Greater Wellington Regional Council spokesman Matthew O’Driscoll said, citing the advice that’s been emphasised by health officials during the pandemic to say home if sick. He said that, and the driver shortage, had put the bus network operator, Metlink, under pressure. Wellington’s bus cancellations reached a new all-time high in May when 3412 services were cancelled, the highest number in at least the last three years.