The Government is supporting the transport sector's efforts to stabilise the public transport workforce with funding from Budget 2022 to help standardise base wages, Transport Minister Michael Wood has announced.
'Our Government is committed to making it more affordable, easier and attractive for Kiwis to use public transport, so it's crucial we have the drivers in place to get the system moving,” says Wood.
'Improving the conditions of drivers will make it easier to recruit and retain the workforce, allowing frequent and reliable bus services.
'The minimum terms and conditions were developed through discussions between operators, public transport authorities and unions on how best to improve conditions in the industry and stabilise the workforce.”
The $61 million allocated in Budget 22 will support the sector to standardise minimum base wage rates towards a target rate, as agreed by public transport authorities. The intention is work towards base rates of $30 per hour for urban services and $28 per hour for regional services. Public transport authorities and operators will be able to access a share of funding if they contribute to the wage increases, and continue to apply indexation wage rates in the future.
'This will help the industry transition to standard terms and conditions for bus drivers, which currently vary widely throughout the country,” says Wood.
In recognition of different pay and conditions currently across the system, public transport authorities will also have the option of providing funding to operators, according to market share, to offer a penal rate for work after 9pm of 1.2x, or a $30 split shift allowance. This will deliver a level of equality between operators and regions.
'The improved driver terms and conditions will be supported by the Sustainable Public Transport Framework, announced in August, that prioritises fair and equitable treatment of employees, mode-shift and improved environmental and health outcomes,” says Wood
'We recognise the vital role that public transport has in our everyday lives and our economic and environmental future.
'We are committed to supporting public transport and I am excited to see the great sector collaboration that has been instrumental in delivering improved terms and conditions across the country. We will continue to work with the sector to on meaningful solutions to support public transport," says Wood.
Waka Kotahi will engage with public transport authorities and bus operators to tailor the implementation of the standard to best suit their operational needs.
Key points:
Budget 22 provided $61 million to support improvements to wages and conditions for public transport bus drivers in tagged operating contingency over 4 years.
Better conditions on the way for bus drivers
The $61 million allocated in Budget 22 will be used to help standardise base wage rates, as we build towards an industry standard $30ph for urban services and $28ph for regional services.
To ensure equitable outcomes for PTAs, operators and employees, the funding can also be used to support the implementation of split shift allowances and penal rates for work after 9pm.
Waka Kotahi will work with public transport authorities and operators to support implementation in each region.
4 comments
Hmmm
Posted on 30-10-2022 14:34 | By Let's get real
Drivers will just be catching up after years of working just above minimum wage levels, however, paying a reasonable wage to people that take on huge responsibilities every day doesn't mean that ratepayers are going to use the service that they have been subsidising from day one. Continue paying the Drivers, but take an honest look at patronage for a change. The only full buses are full of children.
School Bus Drivers?
Posted on 30-10-2022 15:52 | By Equality
Lets hope these wage talks include school bus drivers - and those drivers who also work strange hours on Charter trips.
But still
Posted on 31-10-2022 08:13 | By Kancho
The spending of more money will be a better recognition of drivers but will it mean buses are more viable? If taking three times longer to go to your destination, wait times and bus transfers and lack of facilities then really nothing changes. Buses only work for a small limited number of people. Ninety percent of my travel a bus just will never be practical and this is the same for the majority. Certainly even if free travel it makes no difference and the money paid to the Regional Council is down the drain for me and I suspect most ratepayers. Bit like bike lanes the cost is huge for the pitifully few to use.
Four years
Posted on 31-10-2022 15:22 | By Kancho
Four years spread the money for all the bus fleets in the whole country. Of course still not flowing out to consultation with NZ Transport and bus operators. Wonder as always how much time bureaucracy will take and how much of the money. Still councils can push up rates every year for any shortfall. Think our rates will go up massively as it has in the last two years especially to be so green.
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