Demand for bus drivers has eased in recent months as rising unemployment rates have seen more people apply for bus driver jobs. However, demand for bus drivers is expected increase in the long term, because:
- more people are using public transport
- many bus drivers are nearing retirement age.
Increased use of buses likely to boost demand for bus drivers in longer-term
More people are taking the bus because of rising fuel prices and a desire to use environmentally friendly transport.
In August 2009, the Government announced it would lift public transport funding by 21% over the next three years to help meet the growing demand, and to get more people using public transport. This is likely to lead to more bus services, and higher demand for bus drivers.
Steady increase in number of bus drivers
The number of bus drivers (including tour coach drivers) increased steadily between 1996 and 2006.
Number of bus drivers in New Zealand
(1996, 2001, 2006)| Census | Number of bus drivers |
|---|
| 1996 | 4,500 |
| 2001 | 4,896 |
| 2006 | 5,515 |
| Source: Department of Labour, Jobs and Tertiary Education Indicator Tool. |
Ageing workforce means high number of opportunities
Almost half of bus drivers are over the age of 55, and the retirement rate of bus drivers is three times the national average. This means that many positions arise through retirements.
Most bus drivers in New Zealand are employed by a few large bus companies. The biggest companies include:
- NZ Bus – operator of Auckland and Wellington's major bus companies
- Red Bus – Christchurch's largest bus company
- Citibus – Dunedin's largest bus company.
A number of smaller bus companies also operate in New Zealand.
Bus drivers work throughout the country. However, most are employed in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch, where there are large bus networks.
Opportunities to become a bus driver tend to be best in Wellington, where bus companies have traditionally found it harder to recruit enough workers. This is because Wellington has a relatively large bus network compared with its population size.
