Bus driver shortage in Hawke's Bay

Hawke's Bay is pulling in bus drivers from outside the region to cover a driver shortage. Photo / File

A bus driver shortage has hit Hawke's Bay, with drivers having to be pulled in from other regions.

Hawke's Bay Regional Council transport co-ordinator Megan Welsby said so far only one trip had been cancelled as a result of the shortage, thanks to the willingness and flexibility of off-duty and part-time Go Bus drivers to step in and drive at short notice.

"Go Bus Transport is around six drivers short, but I believe other local bus companies are also short of drivers."

The council was asking that anyone who was interested in becoming a bus driver, or knows someone interested, contact Go Bus Transport direct on hawkesbay@gobus.co.nz or phone (06) 878 9250.

Welsby said Go Bus is looking for friendly, cheerful people with good customer service skills, and preferably a Class Two licence.

"However, if the person has the right personality and attitude, Go Bus Transport will put them through their licence training."

She said by Tuesday they had received three applications.

First Union general secretary Dennis Maga said he was concerned Go Bus did not seem to realise the cause of the shortage.

"There is a wage crisis in the bus sector and this is why no drivers are attracted to the job.

"We have bus drivers who are worried about how they're going to pay for the next power bill despite the fact they're working a 40-hour work week or more."

He said the solution to the shortage is to lift wages. He said the current tendering model for contracts with councils is also a problem.

"We need a system in place that doesn't reward bus companies on cheap prices alone, we need a tendering system that takes into account both the need for an efficient service and the need for decent pay so drivers can lead a decent life."

Hawke's Bay is the second council to declare a driver shortage on behalf of a bus company. In January the Bay of Plenty Regional Council announced a driver shortage with NZ Bus.

"It seems to me that some bus companies are expecting councils to step in and help when they cannot attract enough drivers," Maga said.

"It is the bus company's responsibility to provide those drivers. The council is their customer that has paid for a service and it is the bus company's responsibility to provide that service."

Go Bus declined to comment.