09 September 2021

Lack of drivers driving the country down

It wont have escaped your attention that the country seems to be very short of drivers at the moment. This is seen in the number of empty shelves in supermarkets, missing products when shopping online and longer delivery times for many online retailers. Of course the bus companies are no exception and are all desperate for drivers.

Plymouth Citybus has always been very good at keeping passengers up to date on Twitter and has now actually set up a page with all the services that are being cancelled currently, trying to space them out across their network:

We are having to make reductions to some of our bus routes with immediate effect. https://www.plymouthbus.co.uk/changes-bus-services

This is due to challenges we are facing with staff availability, a problem facing many transport operators. We believe this issue will be short term as we move through the current spike of absence and progress the training of over 40 new drivers in our recruitment system.

Services affected are:

Monday-Friday

5/A

Removing buses running from Royal Parade to Elburton at: 07.25, 9.25, 10.35, 13.05, 15.25

Removing buses running from Elburton to Royal Parade at: 7.35, 9.55,  11.05, 13.35, 15.55

Removing buses running from Royal Parade to Callington Road (Saltash) at: 8.10, 14.10

Removing bus running from Callington Road (Saltash) to Royal Parade at: 8.40, 14.40

8/9

Removing buses running from Royal Parade to Torridge Way at: 11.22, 15.32, 16.17, 18.15

Removing buses running from Torridge Way to City Centre at: 11.34, 15.52, 16.37, 18.30

16

Removing buses running from Royal Parade to Kings Tamerton at: 8.25, 15.55

Removing buses running from Kings Tamerton to Royal Parade at: 8.48, 16.18

21/A

Removing buses running from Royal Parade towards Barne Barton at: 7.05, 9.35, 13.35, 16.55, 19.30, 21.45

Removing buses running from Barne Barton towards Royal Parade at: 7.34, 10.04, 14.04, 17.28, 22.08

Removing buses running from Royal Parade towards Plympton at: 8.15, 10.45, 14.45, 15.35, 18.20, 22.40

Removing buses running from Plympton towards Royal Parade at: 8.54, 11.21, 15.21, 16.14, 18.49, 23.12

27

Removing buses running from Royal Parade towards Deer Park at: 10.30, 11.30

Removing buses running from Deer Park towards Royal Parade at: 10.48, 11.48

28/A

Removing buses running from Royal Parade towards Crownhill at: 9.15, 9.45

Removing buses running from Crownhill towards Royal Parade at: 9.45, 17.25

40

Removing bus running from Royal Parade towards Southway at 13.25

Removing bus running from Southway towards Royal Parade at: 13.56

42

Removing buses running from Royal Parade towards Mainstone at: 6.45, 8.50, 11.50, 15.50, 17.55

Removing buses running from Mainstone towards Royal Parade at: 7.37, 9.45, 12.45, 16.50, 18.45, 19.58

Removing bus running from The Ship towards Mainstone at 19.21

42A

Removing buses running from Royal Parade towards Tamerton Foliot at: 12.00, 18.05, 20.30

Removing buses running from Tamerton Foliot towards Royal Parade at: 12.49, 18.49, 21.13

42C

Removing buses running from Royal Parade towards Woolwell at: 13.40, 15.10, 16.40, 22.00

Removing buses running from Woolwell towards Royal Parade at: 14.21, 15.56, 17.26, 22.49

43

Removing buses running from Royal Parade towards Ernesettle at: 10.15, 12.15, 14.15, 17.05

Removing buses running from Ernesettle towards Royal Parade at: 10.47, 12.47, 14.53, 17.38

50

Removing buses running from Royal Parade towards Derriford Hospital at: 9.25, 11.05, 12.05, 14.25, 16.05

Removing buses running from Derriford Hospital to Royal Parade at: 10.20, 15.20, 17.05

61

Removing buses running from Royal Parade to Transit Way at: 7.05, 14.35

Removing bus running from Transit Way to Royal Parade at 15.10

You can see all current timetables on our website or via the Plymouth Citybus app, and can contact our Customer Experience Team on 01752 662271

We’ve tried to focus our resources on routes which get students to school, key workers to their jobs, and patients and visitors to healthcare, but we know that this will cause inconveniences for some of you, for which we apologise. We’re working to get more drivers on the road, and are actively recruiting and training. The driver shortage has been compounded by delays at the DVLA, slowing down the paperwork we need before someone can drive for us.

If you’re interested in becoming a driver, you can find out more here: https://www.plymouthbus.co.uk/careers


Stagecoach are also having major problems

Thursday 9th September 2021

The following journeys will not operate:

Exeter

A From  Alphington 0646, 0811, 0941, 1111, 1241, 1411, 1541, 1712

From  Thornpark Rise 0620, 0739, 0903, 1033, 1203, 1333, 1503, 1633, 1803

E From  Exwick 0625, 0705, 0753, 0902, 0959, 1059, 1159, 1259, 1359, 1503, 1607, 1710, 1818

From  City Centre 0610, 0650, 0741, 0840, 0940, 1040, 1140, 1240, 1340, 1440, 1540, 1640, 1750

F2 From  Summerway 0755, 0920, 1050, 1220, 1350, 1520, 1650, 1820,

From  City Centre 0740, 0900, 1030, 1200, 1330, 1500, 1630, 1800

F2 From  Savoy Hill 0627, 0655, 0725, 0835, 1005, 1135, 1305, 1435, 1605, 1735, 1900

From  City Centre 0612, 0640, 0710, 0815, 0945, 1115, 1245, 1415, 1545, 1715, 1845,

K From  Science Park 0746, 0846, 0948, 1048, 1148, 1248, 1348, 1448, 1558, 1648, 1748, 18458, 2005

From  City Centre 0720, 0820, 0920, 1020, 1120, 1220, 1320, 1420, 1520, 1620, 1720, 1830, 1930

GREEN From  Matford P&R 0745, 0925, 1649, 1845,

From  Sowton P&R 0833, 1002, 1615, 1755, 1920

R From  Rifford Road 0735, 0810, 0850,0930, 1010, 1050, 1130, 1210, 1250, 1330, 1410, 1450, 1530, 1610, 1650, 1730, 1810

From  City Centre 0750. 0832. 0912. 0950, 1030, 1110, 1150, 1230, 1310, 1350, 1430, 1510,1550, 1630, 1710, 1750, 1825

S From  Rifford Road 0725, 0800, 0840, 0920, 1000, 1040, 1120, 1200, 1240, 1320, 1400, 1440, 1520, 1600, 1640, 1720, 1800

From  City Centre 0742, 0822, 0902, 0940, 1020, 1100, 1140,1220, 1300, 1340, 1420, 1500, 1540, 1620, 1700, 1740, 1820

J From  Tesco Superstore 0717, 0817, 0917, 1017, 1117, 1200, 1300, 1400, 1500, 1605, 1710, 1810

From  City Centre 0652, 0754, 0855, 0955, 1055, 1122, 1222, 1322, 1422, 1522, 1630, 1736, 1835

57 From  Exeter 0640, 0710, 0740, 0815, 0905, 0930, 1000, 1045, 1130, 1200, 1230, 1315, 1400, 1430, 1505, 1550, 1635, 1705, 1740, 1825

From  Exmouth  0523, 0715, 0728, 0802, 0833, 0918, 1005, 1035, 1105, 1150, 1235, 1305, 1335,  1420, 1504, 1534, 1613, 1658, 1750, 1816, 1842

Torbay                

12           From     Paignton Bus Station      13:27:00,09:08,12:35,14:35,15:22

12           From     Brixham               14:10:00,07:50,10:40,13.00,10:10,14:30,10:30,12:50,15:00,18:00,12:00,17:30,14.30,

12           From     Cary Parade        08:01,

12           From     Newton Abbot  14:30:00,08:50,11:30,16:30,10:40,13:30,16:00

12           From     Torquay Harbour             09:47,

12           From     Newton Rd Asda              06:55, 09:20,

13           From     Newton Rd Asda              12:51:00,14:05

13           From     Brixham               14:00

22           From     Dawlish warren                11:05

22           From     St Marychurch   115:35,18:30,

22           From     Torquay Strand 11:20:00,

22           From     Paignton Bus Station      09/01/1900  09:03:12,13:46,

22           From     South Devon College     14:23,17:03,

23           From     Paignton Bus Station      15:48,16:13,16:53

23           From     South Devon College     15:53,16:33,17:13

32C         From     Grammar School              16:05

77           From     Sherborne Rd    8:52

35A        From     Torquay Harbour             11:40,13:00

35C         From     Torquay Harbour             06:27,07:00,11:40,13:00

FOX        From     Paignton Bus Station      11.00,11.30

North Devon

21           From     Barnstaple - Westward Ho!       0545,

From     Westward Ho! - Barnstaple       0630,

From     Barnstaple - Ilfracombe                0732, 1325,

From     Ilfraocmbe - Barnstaple                0820, 1420,

21A        From     Barnstaple - Appledore               0706, 0740, 0910, 0940, 1010, 1110, 1210, 1310, 1340,

From     Appledore - Barnstaple               0809, 0839, 1009, 1039, 1109, 1209, 1309, 1409, 1439,

10/10A  From     Barnstaple - Gorwell      1155, 1455, 1525,

From     Gorwell - Barnstaple      1202, 1502, 1532,

11A/11C               From     Barnstaple - Whiddon Valley    0755, 0835, 0915, 0955, 1035, 1115, 1155, 1235, 1315,

From     Whiddon Valley - Barnstaple    0811, 0853, 0933, 1011, 1053, 1133, 1211, 1253, 1333,

Plymouth

101         From     George P&R       07:30 07:45 09:00 09:22 10:22 10:37 11:37 11:52 12:52 13:07 13:22  14:22 14:37 15:37 15:52 17:00 18:05 18:25 19:15

101         From     Royal Parade     07:05 08:10 08:30 09:45  10:00 11:00 11:15 12:15 12:30 12:45 14:00 14:30 14:45 15:00 15:15  15:45 16:15 16:30 17:15 17:45 18:00 18:45 19:45

1              From     Tavistock             05:50  08:05 10:00 11;15 12:00 13:30 14:45 15:45 17:10 18:20

1              From     Royal Parade     06:10 06:51 09:08 09:51  10:51 11:51 12:06 12:51 14:21 15:51 16:42

2              From     Mount Batten   07:53 09:20 10:20 11:00 11:40 12:00  12:40 13:00 14:00 14:20 15:20 6:43 17:03 17:38 18:00  18:30 18:53  19:23 20:23 21:23 23:23

2              From     St Stephens        06:32 09:03 10:22 10:42  12:02 12:42 13:42 14:02 16:24 16:44 17:25 18:04 19:23 20:18 22:18

2A           From     Sherford              07:42 08:22 09:10  11:30 11:50 12:10 13:50 14:10 15:10 15:22  15:51 16:12 16:53 17:14 17:44  17:54 18:13 18 :41 19:53

2A           From     Saltash 06:20 07:36  08:51  09:31 10:10 10:30 12:50  13:10  13:50 14:30 14:50  15:10 15:51 16:12 16:31  17:05 17:51 18:11 18:52 19:15 19:46

Falcon   From     Plymouth            02:00 am 05:00 am

Falcon   From     Bristol   6:30 am 10:00 am

There is a similar list for Friday 10th on the same page

https://www.stagecoachbus.com/service-updates/serviceupdatesarticle?SituationId=ID-24/08/2021-17:43:03:382

Of course with all of this going on you can expect any competent government to be doing its best to get things moving and put into place a proper well thought out plan to help operators. Sadly however we do not have a competent government in this country so good luck…

Of course they blame covid for all of this, and I am sure covid certainly plays its part in making things worse – however covid exists all around the world at the moment – and nowhere else seems to having the same chronic staff shortages as we are.

17 comments:

  1. Indeed, other European countries do not seem to be having the same issues, yet pay and conditions are generally no better than in the UK, in some cases worse. Must be something else...

    First South West is introducing its winter timetable early on the Atlantic Coaster from Sunday, but no details as yet. Strangely, bits of the Daytripper network appear to still be operating - I'd have thought they'd be the first to be sacrificed.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. its difficult keeping up with it all at the moment, but I thought the Day Trippers were all suspended back in July

      Delete
    2. I think Daytrippers have since been reinstated

      Delete
    3. Atlantic Coaster reduced Thur 9 Sep to just 3 or 4 Newquay-Padstow services with one Perranporth return trip. No St Ives at all until next year.

      Yes Daytripper was suspended in summer but certain trips advertised returning from start of Sept school term.

      Delete
    4. You are right - a few of the Day Tippers were reinstated last week.

      Delete
  2. counting all the trips not run between the 2 companies, sc are 159 against citybus's 100, tho in fact pcb are only dropping 70 trips. but evening herald dont give them the coverage that they did to citybus....

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes indeed poor reporting ignoring SC has far higher missing services right across its patch, so much worse than Citybus!

      Delete
    2. I think you are placing too much emphasis on the word "reporting" - these days all it means is printing press releases and watching what happens on Twitter / Facebook. Citybus is excellent at reporting all the services it has to cancel. Stagecoach is a lot more hit & miss on this. somedays they do, other tim4es it hidden deep within their awful web site.

      Delete
  3. The Daytrippers were suspended back in July, but FSW announced on their website that from 5th September D1, D4, D5, D7 and D8 were restarting.

    ReplyDelete
  4. There's a lot around Covid pings and the Brexit issues around drivers. Also there's a lot of drivers quitting their jobs at the moment. It's all gone a bit pear shaped for buses everywhere!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I don't understand why "pings" would still be an issue. It no longer applies to the double vaccinated and over 80% of the adult population are double vaccinated.

      Delete
  5. Sorry to disagree but how it boris's fault the gvmt got us out of europe after a referendum result was to leave the eu also the gvmt gave bus ops a bailout package to cover them over covid and there was the furlough scheme that paid 80% to retain staff the main problem is the wages the drivers get paid. You get told its a skilled job lives are in your hands yet you can earn more money taking burger orders at a mcdonalds or stacking shelves at lidl. Also haulage firms have increased wages due to a shortage of drivers so lets face it loyalty is a thing of past if you can get more money driving on the same roads just with a different cargo then you would be a fool not to least a tin of beans wont pick an argument with and blame you after being stick in a traffic jam because its gone a miss its flight so thats why there a shortage of pcv drivers because its an awful low paid job

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Correct. Worst offender is Stagecoach.

      Delete
    2. I'm not sure anyone did blame Boris but a number of the issues have been affected by government decisions:
      1. Operators are struggling to get new drivers through the system - the DVLA (a government agency) have reportedly been suffering from a 2 or 3 month backlog on processing licensing applications (due to staff shortages, both COVID related & persistent & pre-COVID issues & industrial action).
      2. Having gone for the hardest of Brexit options and not choosing to include transport (either buses and/or trucks) as an industry which has a staff shortage which would allow more work permits for foreign staff to be recruited to bridge the gap.
      3. The government (both local & national) have reduced funding for bus services support and make little reference to quality favoring the lowest bidder holding down income and as wages are the largest cost for operators that limits what can be offered.
      4. The government has increased the amount of fuel tax paid by bus operators (by repeatedly reducing the rebate on fuel duty for bus operators) increasing costs for operators.
      5. The government (this was the previous Labour government but the current Tory one has not only not fixed the issue but made it worst) has introduced various schemes which remove the operators control over their income - Concessionary Fares is the most obvious where operators not only cannot determine what payment they receive per passenger paid but get penalised by reduced reimbursement if they try to recoup that shortfall by increasing normal fares.

      I agree that the issue is that bus driving is a skilled job that doesn't receive as high a wage as that skill deserves but the problem is that wider society doesn't value that job sufficiently to be prepared (either directly through the fares they pay or indirectly through their taxes funding things properly) to pay the money necessary to allow operators to pay their staff the wage they deserve. Most companies are not making large profits, margins at many companies were closer to 5% than 10% before COVID and so any significant wage increase would wipe out all smaller companies in short order (especially since passenger numbers are still 60-70% of pre-COVID passenger numbers and government funding is reduced and is expected to finish completely at the end of the year)

      Delete
    3. Nonsense.
      The issues are:
      1. Covid has produced a speed up in the creation of lots of local delivery jobs.
      2. HGV shortages aren’t the biggest issue but they are pushing across in the overall jobs market.
      3. EU nationals have left the U.K. jobs market in significant numbers.
      4. Bus company recruitment stopped while we had staff on furlough and reduced work, while natural turnover continued (eg retirements)
      5. I have dozens of people wanting to drive my buses at our current rates but there is a huge delay at DVLA with granting provisional licences, amd getting medicals is difficult.

      Delete
    4. Bus drivers are leaving to be lorry drivers because there's a shortage, because of Brexit. Feel sorry for the bus drivers at the moment to be honest with you. Totally agree theyre leaving for better paid jobs.

      Delete
  6. I forgot about the issue of getting the necessary medicals - its hard enough getting a medical appt for an urgent problem let alone a medical at the moment

    ReplyDelete

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