2 ms·

I think you make a lot of good points. However, I'm not sure a shortage of bus drivers can be just down to unwillingness. As far as non-office jobs go, I'd imag

I think you make a lot of good points. However, I'm not sure a shortage of bus drivers can be just down to unwillingness. As far as non-office jobs go, I'd imagine it's on the comfortable end: a heated/air-conditioned space, a moderate amount of human contact, respect in the community - nothing dramatic, but not rock-bottom in the grand scheme of things. Factories have a reputation for having a more 'adversarial' culture where I live, and outdoors jobs like working for the post involve trogging off in the driving rain occasionally. The negatives in turn: getting up at 4AM - wouldn't the preference for early hours and late hours even out over a whole city's population? I know some people who get up really early by choice, and I personally like it at night. Being responsible for dozens of human lives - that can be worn as a badge of pride. Of course you're right that it might put people off, but you just have to look to airline pilots to see an example of a culture where responsibility is held in high esteem. Do I have a theory of my own? I don't think I can answer it, but I'd guess training and logistics might have something to do with the driver shortage problem. In Czechia, do you have to pay for your own qualification before you get the job? Also, where I am, bus operators will usually only employ people who already live near a depot - that excludes many potential drivers.

inglor_cz 2y ago
The contact with passengers is sometimes very unpleasant (basically in every bigger city there is a neighbourhood where drivers don't like to serve, given the risk of being robbed or at least spat and cursed upon)... Consistent getting up at 4 AM would be probably better than the irregular shifts that are the norm. You get up at 4 AM three days in a row, then you only have duties in the afternoon, because someone fell ill etc. Driver shortage problem is pretty much across Europe, with poorer countries and cities being somewhat, but not crushingly worse off. I sort-of doubt that there is some low-hanging fruit waiting to be picked. This is a highly diverse market, with thousands of public and private sphere organizations competing for workforce across the entire EU, and having quite a lot of latitude to provide better conditions. Still, the average age of an extant bus driver is slowly creeping into the late 50s and early 60s. The disinterest of the younger generation in a driving career is palpable.

inglor_cz 2y ago

The contact with passengers is sometimes very unpleasant (basically in every bigger city there is a neighbourhood where drivers don't like to serve, given the risk of being robbed or at least spat and cursed upon)... Consistent getting up at 4 AM would be probably better than the irregular shifts that are the norm. You get up at 4 AM three days in a row, then you only have duties in the afternoon, because someone fell ill etc. Driver shortage problem is pretty much across Europe, with poorer countries and cities being somewhat, but not crushingly worse off. I sort-of doubt that there is some low-hanging fruit waiting to be picked. This is a highly diverse market, with thousands of public and private sphere organizations competing for workforce across the entire EU, and having quite a lot of latitude to provide better conditions. Still, the average age of an extant bus driver is slowly creeping into the late 50s and early 60s. The disinterest of the younger generation in a driving career is palpable.