GERMAN bus operators are increasingly being forced to limit services due to a shortage of drivers, the Association of German Transport Companies (VDV) announced.

“I am not aware of a single company in the bus transport sector that has not been forced to cancel at least one route due to a shortage of drivers,” said VDV president Harald Kraus.

“Financial conditions have now improved, but there is simply a lack of staff”

A survey conducted by the umbrella association VDV among German public-sector bus operators shows that 77 percent of respondents expect a major increase in the need for drivers by 2030. At the same time, a large number of drivers could retire by 2030, which could further worsen the staffing situation.

Kraus explained that in the past many drivers left the transport industry because of lower wages. “Financial conditions have now improved, as the importance of public transport has increased, but there is simply a lack of staff,” said Kraus.

He emphasized that the starting hourly wage for bus drivers in public transport in the federal state of North Rhine-Westphalia is 15.60 euros, which, as he stressed, is better than at competing companies that also employ drivers.

Currently 7,800 vacancies unfilled

According to the survey, 48 percent of the companies surveyed stated that the shortage of drivers is currently their biggest problem. The Association of Intercity and International Bus Operators (DBO) stated that by 2030 there will be a shortage of 87,000 bus drivers, and currently 7,800 positions are unfilled.

As German Labor Minister Hubertus Heil emphasized last week, Germany continues to face a major labor shortage. He announced further incentive measures for the immigration of workers to Germany.

At the beginning of the month, the Federal Employment Agency announced that there is still strong demand for skilled workers, especially in healthcare, the IT sector, but also in skilled trades.

Source: index.hr