Easing drivers' stress may lift bus fares

By ELIZABETH BINNING

A plan to reduce the number of hours bus drivers can be on the road without taking a break could lead to a 15 per cent rise in bus fares.

Under the proposed Land Transport Amendment Bill, city bus drivers will no longer be able to drive for 5 1/2 hours without a break.

In a move to reduce stress and fatigue they must now stop for a break every five hours. Failure to do so could lead to disqualification.

Bus and Coach Association executive director John Collyns said although half an hour might not sound like a lot it has major ramifications for both the industry and passengers who have already been hit with fare rises of up to 8 per cent in Auckland because of fuel prices.

The shortened driving times mean drivers will not be able to complete as many runs so more part-time staff will have to be brought in to share the load. As a result many full-time drivers will have their hours, and subsequently their pay, cut by up to 9 per cent. Mr Collyns said the proposed changes are expected to cost the industry about $5 million extra, which will have to be passed on to the public.

Many large cities - including Hamilton, which is undertaking a $125,000 study of roading issues - are encouraging the use of public transport to avoid growing congestion problems.

Regional councils fear raising bus fares will do little to encourage motorists to leave their cars at home.

Environment Waikato's land transport senior planner Bill McMaster said concerns about the proposed changes had been raised at the latest regional passenger transport committee meeting.

He said early indications had been that costs would rise by 10 to 15 per cent and that would be passed on through fares, or rates if the buses are contracted for city runs.

The committee is writing to its local MP asking for the matter to be raised with the minister.

Mr Collyns said the proposed changes follow recommendations made by drivers' unions about five years ago when there were concerns about stress and fatigue.

However, he said there are now provisions to deal with tired drivers through the Occupational Safety and Health Act.

Mana Coachlines managing director Kerry Waddell said the Wellington-based firm had just issued its staff with a notice about the proposed changes following concerns about the effects it will have on them. Some of the company's 140 drivers will see their pay drop by between $100 and $130 a week because of reduced hours.

She said the industry was already struggling with a driver shortage, the rising price of fuel and extra staffing costs which have been incurred through the new Holidays Act.


Consumers' Institute chief executive David Russell said an analysis of the benefits and downsides - to both drivers and passengers - should be conducted before any legislation was passed.

"If they show that bus drivers are having mental breakdowns and crashing their buses and that reducing their hours will make a difference then we as a society will have to put up with it."


ON THE BUSES

Urban bus drivers must take a break every five hours instead of every 5 1/2 hours to reduce stress and fatigue.

Bus operators claim the change will increase national operating costs by $5 million, fares could rise by 10-15 per cent and fulltime drivers could see a 9 per cent reduction in their pay due to reduced hours.