2. Driver shortage crisis
In April 2016, The Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport carried out an
opinion survey, inviting all of our Busmark club members to take part. The
purpose of the survey was to gauge opinions from bus and coach drivers about
the current driver shortage. Our aim is to make recommendations to operators
about where improvements could be made.
In total we had 59 responses and this report presents our findings.
The Institute would like to thank all of the members who took part in the survey
and for their willingness to share their opinions and ideas.
Thanks to our participants:
3. 18-24
5%
25-34
24%
35-44
14%45-54
33%
55-64
22%
65+
2%
1. Driver Age
18-24
25-34
35-44
45-54
55-64
65+
Questions to our members…
1. What is your age?
2. What is your primary driving work?
3. What factors do you think are responsible for the driver shortage?
4. What do think the government should do to highlight and deal with the driver shortage issue?
5. Do you think it is the responsibility of the bus & coach companies to find solutions to the issues?
6. What can the industry do to attract more drivers?
7. In years, how long have you worked as a driver?
8. How has your job satisfaction changed during this time?
Answers from our members…
4. Bus / Stage
Carriage
83%
Coach
9%
Mix of above
5%
Other
3%
2. What is your primary driving work?
Bus / Stage Carriage
Coach
Mix of above
Other (please specify)
16
28
25
12
1
8
12
38
44
6 6
36
9 8
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
45
50
Driver CPC Long hours
Poor facilities for drivers Financial barriers to license acquisition
Insurance Lack of careers advice
Government neglect Poor wages
Unsociable hours Age of drivers
European drivers Attitude of general public
Lack of apprentice schemes Other
3. What factors do you think are responsible for the drivers shortage?
5. 21
2
29
3
15
2
8
45
9
37
23
1
39
12
5
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
45
50
Demand planning, routing and scheduling European drivers
Staff development Employment agencies
Advertising Freelance drivers
MoD leavers Increased pay
Apprenticeships Improved terms & conditions
Staff engagement Sub- contractors
Improve industry image Engagement with government bodies
Other
4. What do you think the Government should do to highlight and deal with the
driver shortage issue?
79%
21%
5. Do you think it is the responsibility of the bus &
coach companies to find solutions to the issues?
Yes
No
6. 6. What can the industry do to attract more drivers?
The responses to the bus & coach driver survey questionnaire highlighted 4
possible solutions to the challenge of attracting and retaining professional
drivers, including:
1. Enhanced rewards (better pay, incentives, training and career paths) – 35%
2. Improve the image/profile of the ‘profession’ – 24%
3. Corporate Social Responsibility (improved working flexibility, enhanced shift patterns,
more bathroom breaks) – 21%
4. Improved relations between the Employers and Employees – 20%
Driver suggestions included:
“Improve wages and facilities for drivers. Through training and development
offer a structured scheme for personal/driver improvement.”
“Change the attitude of the public and other road users towards bus drivers.”
“Offer a more lucrative working shift pattern/rota. Give the drivers a sense of a
social life/time to spend with their family.”
“To engage more with drivers on matters that relate to everyday issues that can
lead to increased stress levels, thus reducing sickness levels amongst driving
staff.”
Daryl Chesney, CILT’s Head of Business Development, has called for retailers and
other businesses that rely on buses and coaches bringing their customers to
shop, to introduce ‘driver friendly’ initiatives that will support some of the
issues highlighted by the survey results.
7. 52%
22%
26%
8. How has your job satisfaction changed during this
time?
I don't feel as satisfied in the
position as I used to
No change
My job satisfaction has
improved
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
1 3 5 7 9 11 13 15 17 19 21 23 25 27 29 31 33 35 37 39 41 43 45
No.ofresponses
No. of years as a driver
7. In years, how long have you worked as a driver?
8. For further information please contact, Graham Sheen:
T: 01536 740123 E: busmark@ciltuk.org.uk
www.ciltuk.org.uk
