118 buses cancelled in four days

Wellington’s bus service has apologised after more than 100 services were cancelled in four days.

Metlink’s general manager, Scott Gallacher, said that between Sunday and Thursday, 118 bus services were cancelled.

‘‘This is a significant increase on preCovid-19 cancellations in the same period [2020], where we saw just 17 cancellations.’’

Another 20 buses were cancelled yesterday morning.

With people being encouraged to stay home while sick, services were more prone to driver illness. ‘‘We are supporting our operators in their recruitment efforts as they continue to minimise the impact for customers as much as possible.’’

The service was hoping to recruit about 50 extra drivers to the network.

Gallacher apologised for the frustration and inconvenience caused by the cancellations. ‘‘We recognise the heroic efforts of our drivers who have worked through the various alert levels this past year; some of whom are now taking wellearned breaks.

‘‘Despite the superhuman efforts of our drivers, they do have their own health, age and family considerations.’’

Tramways Union secretary Kevin O’Sullivan said the cancellations were a symptom of a wider problem – drivers were fed up with poor pay and conditions.

Roger Blakeley, the chairman of the Greater Wellington Regional Council’s transport committee, said the council was acutely aware of the cancellations and disruptions, and it was working directly with the bus companies to solve the issue.

It was not uncommon for an increase in cancellations at the end of a difficult year due to increased driver fatigue and illness, but Blakeley said at this stage in the year, the cancellations should have eased.

The 23, 27 and 29 routes had been the most affected, and Blakeley said the bus companies should spread cancellations around the network if they were going to happen. Pay and conditions did appear to be a factor in driver absenteeism, he added.

It is less than three months since Metlink issued a similar apology.

In December, it said staff leave and increased illness had resulted in more cancellations. But O’Sullivan said it was due to 40 drivers resigning over poor working conditions.