An end may be in sight for Christchurch’s frustrated bus users, as the country’s largest passenger bus service operator announces hundreds of new hires, including 50 in Christchurch.
A shortage of bus drivers has plagued services natiowide, resulting in cancellations, delays and a lack of new services.
But Kinetic Group – the Australian-owned transportation giant that operates many of the country’s bus services – says an “intense recruitment campaign” since November 2022 will deliver 559 new bus drivers across the country, with the 50 destined for Christchurch to “solve” the driver shortage.
In a statement, Kinetic Group said it was pleased to confirm Go Bus in Christchurch “is projecting a return to full driver staffing over the coming weeks.”
Christchurch bus routes have been impacted since late 2021 with trip cancellations, altered timetables, express buses forced to make multiple stops, and new services deferred with even more routes cancelled or reduced late last year.
