Buses Refugees ‘can help solve’ driver shortage
R❝ I’ve launched a big bus driver recruitment campaign as I’m determined to get more bus drivers trained up to help fix the cancellations and delays, so people get a bus service they need and deserve
Dan Norris
EFUGEES fleeing the Russian invasion of Ukraine are being urged to help solve Bristol’s bus driver shortage.
The metro mayor of the West of England, Dan Norris, launched a recruitment day aimed at encouraging the thousands of Ukrainians who have settled in the region to sign up.
He said they would get a tailored training programme to join what Mr Norris said was the “most thanked profession in the country”.
Drivers at the open day, hosted by Stagecoach, had the opportunity to try out driving a bus and meet current drivers to find out more about the job.
Bristol’s biggest bus company, First West of England, has a shortage of around 150 drivers and has had to cut 1,450 individual bus journeys a week because its lack of drivers meant it could not meet the timetable.
Stagecoach, the city’s second biggest bus firm, is thought to be another 50 drivers short, and regularly lists the routes and bus journeys that are not happening on a daily basis due to the problem.
Much of the driver shortage is down to Brexit – companies like First and Stagecoach used to employ hundreds of bus drivers from the continent and many of those people have now returned to their home countries.
Brexit-based driver shortages in the HGV industry are also having a knockon effect on bus driver recruitment and retention – First Bus boss Doug Claringbold said earlier this year that HGV driver agencies were actively recruiting Bristol’s bus drivers from outside depots at the ends of their shifts, with the promise of huge pay rises if they switched.
Mr Norris welcomed the move by Stagecoach to turn to Ukrainians who are making the West their home.
A spokesperson for the West of England Combined Authority said: “Many bus drivers were lured away from the industry to become lorry drivers last year during the empty shelves crisis when the Government wrote to them and suggested they become HGV drivers.
“We are supporting operators with bus driver recruitment. Mr Norris has funded a four-person bus driver recruitment team helping bus companies target new would-be drivers. This is being backed by tailored careers support and training from the West of England Authority with a single access point for people interested in becoming a bus driver.”
Mr Norris said he hoped Ukrainian drivers could be a part of the solution for Bristol’s bus crisis.
“Driving a bus is a really great job,” he said. “I’m really pleased to support Stagecoach with their Ukrainian refugees recruitment open day. I’ve always said we need innovative ideas if we’re going to fix the number one challenge for buses right now – the severe bus driver shortage.
“I’ve launched a big bus driver recruitment campaign as I’m determined to get more bus drivers trained up to help fix the cancellations and delays, so people get a bus service they need and deserve. I hope Ukrainian drivers can be part of the solution.
“Stagecoach have recently increased their hourly rates to £13.75 per hour (Monday to Friday), £14 per hour on Saturdays and £15.70 per hour on Sundays, meaning there has never been a better time to get behind the wheel.”
Ukrainians are permitted to work in Britain – unlike people from other wartorn countries who are not allowed to work while their applications for asylum status are ongoing. Instead, those unable to work and seeking asylum are made to live in centres and hotels.
Speaking about the special recruitment day, Rachel Geliamassi, Stagecoach West’s managing director, said the company welcomed “applications from all”. She added: “We’re delighted to be a part of this initiative, which not only supports Ukrainians but could very well help us find some muchneeded team members. We pride ourselves on a friendly, inclusive working environment and welcome applications from all.”