FILE PHOTO

(JOHN MCDONALD / iNFOnews.ca)

With a bus driver shortage causing route reductions in the Central Okanagan, the Kelowna union presidents says barriers need to be removed for more to be hired.

Al Peressini, President with the Kelowna transit union, said the biggest barrier for drivers has been starting wages and when drivers are first hired, they’re considered casual so they have to be available for the first 18 days of a month but there’s no guarantee of any hours and no benefits.

READ MORE: Ride a bus in B.C.? You'll soon be able to tap to pay your fare

“There’s this huge driver shortage going on right now and B.C. Transit is trying to say it’s because of the vaccination mandate, well, that does have a say in it but we believe there are only seven full-time drivers that are not vaccinated so they’re not working,” he said.

B.C. Transit is holding an ongoing recruitment campaign throughout the province. At last week’s recruitment event in Kelowna, people were showing up expecting to get hired with a class five license and that’s not the case, he said, adding people still need a class 2 learner’s license with the air endorsement to get hired.

Also, a reduction of service because of the driver shortage means they’ve cut 16 full-time positions, Peressini said.

Bus drivers are also facing increasing abuses and assaults due to the lack of respect for drivers over the years, he said.

For conditions to improve, there has to be a guarantee of hours in Kelowna for casuals, especially with the high cost of living, he said.

READ MORE: Kids who 'Get On Board' with B.C. Transit will ride for free

“When you have to be available for 18 days, it’s impossible to get another part-time job to supplement your income because you don’t know what you’re working so that’s one of the biggest problems,” Peressini said.

There were roughly 112 full-time drivers in Kelowna in regular pre-pandemic times and they’re currently sitting at about 90.

Jaime Weiss, senior communications officer with B.C. Transit, said they’re facing a labour shortage like many other organizations. Employee illness has also contributed to the shortage.

B.C. Transit operating companies have varying policies around hiring and prerequisites so Weiss said people looking to become drivers should reach out to the companies directly. The Okanagan’s is First Transit.

Weiss didn’t have the numbers of drivers needed amid the shortage because service varies.

To contact a reporter for this story, email Carli Berry or call 250-864-7494 or email the editor. You can also submit photos, videos or news tips to the newsroom and be entered to win a monthly prize draw.

We welcome your comments and opinions on our stories but play nice. We won't censor or delete comments unless they contain off-topic statements or links, unnecessary vulgarity, false facts, spam or obviously fake profiles. If you have any concerns about what you see in comments, email the editor in the link above. 

News from © iNFOnews, 2022