Driver shortage pushes bus depots toward automation - Sustainable Bus

"The last bus rolls through the gate. Before the driver can go home, there is the end-of-day routine: park the bus, connect the charger, fill in the defect report on the tablet."

"By the time the driver walks out, it is closer to midnight. The shift started at 11:00 that morning. This is the daily maintenance cycle at most large bus depots in Europe."

"Some operators employ dedicated shunting staff to take over from drivers at the gate. In many depots, the people moving buses at midnight are the same people who drove routes all day."

"By 04:30, every charged and checked bus needs to be staged in departure order - ready for the drivers arriving at 05:00, who expect their vehicle to be prepared."

Europe's public transport sector is grappling with a shortage of approximately 105,000 bus and coach drivers. This staffing crisis coincides with the electrification of fleets, creating operational challenges at bus depots. Daily routines involve drivers completing end-of-day tasks, including parking, charging, and reporting defects. Often, drivers must also reposition buses for maintenance and cleaning, extending their shifts significantly. Some depots employ dedicated shunting staff, but many drivers are responsible for moving buses after their routes, complicating the maintenance cycle and preparation for the next day.

Read at Sustainable Bus