The Association of Local Bus Manager (ALBUM) has today written to the Minister for Roads, Buses and Places, Baroness Vere, after concerns highlighted by members over bus driver shortages alongside DVSA licensing and testing issues.
Members of ALBUM have highlighted that it is increasingly likely that the shortage of drivers will have an impact on some bus services from September, meaning that bus mileage may not be as high as it could be nor as high as it desired by operators, local transport authorities and government.
The letter highlights issues with competition for hiring drivers from hauliers, couriers, and supermarkets. Also noted were the issues with the DVSA having limited driving tests available for newly trained PCV drivers (current delays until mid-September) with trainees unable to obtain provisional licences from the DVLA in a timely manner, driving tests are then severely delayed which is overall making bus drivers roles less attractive and contributing to the shortage.
An ALBUM spokesperson said “Our members fully appreciate the issues created by the pandemic and are extremely grateful to the government for the support it has shown to the industry to date. However, we’re seeking a temporary dispensation for Delegated Driving Examiners (employed by some of our larger members) to be expected to test the recruits of our smaller SME members, subject to capacity, until such time as the DVSA has dealt with this backlog”.
They added, “We believe this is a reasonable adjustment that is easily deliverable and would undoubtedly help the bus industry to ensure it has enough drivers”.