Select a region
In a bid to alleviate Guernsey’s bus driver shortage, the Committee for the Environment & Infrastructure is looking to reduce the minimum age of a bus driver; this decision has already led to increased interest in the profession from on and off-island.
CT Plus has been facing a significant bus driver shortage which in turn has impacted the bus service in Guernsey. The difficulties have been blamed on a “perfect storm” of factors.
“There is a significant driver shortage in the UK, which has slowed recruitment from there,” said a spokesperson from CT Plus.
“The 12-week process to recruit from Europe means those drivers look elsewhere. We have also seen the retirement of older drivers and the lingering effect of the pandemic. All of these factors have closed off the traditional sources of Guernsey’s bus drivers.”
Pictured: An agreed reduction to the bus service should only be temporary, according to CT Plus.
CT Plus sought help from E&I and the Committee approved a series of actions to help the service.
It has agreed to an improved pay structure, while also speaking with the Committee for Home Affairs about options for longer-term employment permits.
Additionally, work is ongoing to reduce the minimum age for driving a bus or coach from 21 to 18.
The President of E&I, Deputy Lindsay de Sausmarez, said: “There have already been some encouraging indicators of positive progress.
“Driver numbers are beginning to increase again: there have been two recent appointments as well as an increase in the number of enquiries about the roles. There has already been some interest from people who would then be eligible to drive once the change to the age restriction is in place.”
Deputy de Sausmarez said it’s essential that Guernsey has a fully functioning bus service.
“The more people that use the buses, the more we reduce traffic on our roads, pressure on parking infrastructure, air pollution and carbon emissions, whilst also improving the efficiency of our transport system for all road users.”
Pictured: “The Committee for the Environment & Infrastructure recognises the importance of maintaining a good level of bus service,” said Deputy de Sausmarez.
A spokesperson for CT Plus said recruitment fairs are being used in the UK to attract new drivers and the company remains hopeful that the situation will ease.
“As the driver shortage continues, CT Plus continues to work actively with the States of Guernsey Traffic and Highways Department,” they said.
“The agreed reduction of services due to these exceptional circumstances is a temporary measure, one that has eased the pressures on the driving team at this difficult time. It is hoped that the additional measures taken on recruitment during this period of force majeur will improve and secure the flow of new on-island drivers being trained and also off-island drivers making the move to Guernsey.”
Disruption to buses likely to continue
Comments
Comments on this story express the views of the commentator only, not Bailiwick Publishing. We are unable to guarantee the accuracy of any of those comments.