‘The truth about driver shortages’ article [routeone/Big Story/13 March] is interesting and long overdue, though I believe a bigger problem is driver retention rather than recruitment.
So many people come into the industry not appreciating that shift work is the norm and when they realise they have to work evenings and weekends they look for a way out.
I also believe that too many people talk the industry down when they should be promoting the many positives.
As a trade union representative for 32 years I always tried to portray the great benefits of bus driving, such as the great comradeship, the fact that most promotions to supervisors and management roles come from within and the freedom to negotiate better pay and conditions through trade union recognition agreements, and the flexibility to exchange duties and holiday periods.
The pay, in general, while still less than train drivers, has also improved in recent years and the risk of redundancies and short-time working is far less than most other industries.
I do feel that respect for bus drivers has also improved in recent years and that management are treating drivers far better than they did years ago, having finally woken up to the fact that a happy driver usually equals a happy customer.
I wish I could start my 50 years stretch again.
Kenneth Farrington
