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MONIQUE FORD / Things
There has been a significant increase in the resignation of bus drivers because of working conditions, says the tram union.
Drivers quitting because of poor working conditions are causing an increase in canceled bus services, says the bus drivers union.
On Monday, Wellington’s public transport provider Metlink apologized for the frustration and inconvenience caused to customers by a series of bus cancellations.
He cited a number of reasons for the cancellations, including drivers taking annual leave, recent legislation on rest breaks and route extensions in the city center.
Tramways Union Secretary Kevin O’Sullivan said about 40 drivers had resigned from NZ Bus in the past two months, causing a driver shortage.
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NZ Bus has service contracts that cover much of the Wellington city area.
A Porirua bus driver said there was a big morale problem.
“There is a huge increase in absences from work, drivers are refusing to take full shifts and the level of fatigue is really noticeable now. They have clicked on the longer and longer shifts and the big unpaid breaks and are choosing to end before the breaks, ”said the driver.
O’Sullivan said dissatisfaction among drivers was increasing at all companies and he believed the problem would get worse.
“There will be big problems next year once the schools and universities are back,” he said. “It’s a disaster and it’s not getting better.”
Currently, the union is negotiating a new collective agreement with NZ Bus.
MONIQUE FORD / Things
Metlink issued a public apology to customers on Monday after an increase in bus cancellations.
O’Sullivan said the NZ Bus drivers were frustrated with the company and were “very, very close” to taking industrial action if they didn’t get the deal they wanted.
Metlink CEO Scott Gallacher said he “sincerely apologizes” for the cancellations in the previous weeks.
“With most high schools now on vacation, maximum resources have been released and this week’s performance has been significantly better with only 16 cancellations on the network on Monday and one cancellation on Tuesday morning, very much in line with what we normally see at this time of year, “he said.
On social media, Metlink said it was supporting its operators to try to minimize the impact to customers as much as possible.
“This includes avoiding less frequent or essential trips and canceling services as far in advance as possible so that passengers can make alternative plans.
Rosa Woods / Stuff
NZ Bus and the union are currently in negotiations with a mediator.
Metlink said it was “working proactively” with operations to ensure that full services could be provided when sponsorship increases in the new year.
NZ Bus has been contacted for comment.
