Bus proposal drives job opportunities for young people

The government has yesterday (April 11) unveiled proposals aimed at lowering the minimum age requirements for bus and coach drivers, potentially creating hundreds of job opportunities for younger individuals.

The move is part of a broader strategy to boost the economy and ensure more reliable transportation services across the country.

Roads Minister Guy Opperman launched a consultation yesterday (April 11) to review the current restriction that limits 18 to 20-year-old bus and coach drivers to routes up to 50 kilometres.

If implemented, these changes could allow younger drivers to take on longer journeys, particularly in rural areas where longer routes are common.

Peter Knight, Managing Director of Stagecoach South West, expressed support for the consultation, emphasising the potential benefits for both passengers and communities. 

He stated: “We welcome the consultation announced yesterday by Roads Minister Guy Opperman to review the current limits on 18-20 year olds driving bus routes up to 50km. By removing the current distance limitations for younger people and changing the structure of bus driver training more generally it could ensure a more resilient labour supply giving bus operators the potential to expand services, especially in rural areas such as North Devon and its surrounding areas where longer routes are more common. There will need to be careful consideration given to any changes but ultimately, we welcome schemes which result in benefits to passengers and the communities we serve.”

Minister Opperman shared the potential of these proposals to create a win-win situation by offering more job opportunities for young people while alleviating driver shortages and enhancing transportation services. 

He said: “Being a bus, coach or lorry driver can be an excellent career for young people and these proposals could help get younger talent into transport, encouraging diversity in the sector. This could be a win-win, not only improving job opportunities for those leaving school, but also going some way to continue to ease driver shortages, delivering more reliable bus and coach services and a more resilient supply chain as part of our plan to grow the economy.”

Graham Vidler, Chief Executive of the Confederation of Passenger Transport, welcomed the consultation, citing the positive impact it could have on addressing driver shortages and ensuring a pipeline of safe and qualified bus and coach drivers. 

Mr Vidler said: “We warmly welcome this consultation on two key proposals championed by Carriage Paid To to address the challenge of driver shortages faced by the coach and bus sector. Allowing new recruits to get on with off-road training while awaiting their provisional licence will ensure more trainees complete the course and become safe, qualified bus or coach drivers. As 18 year-olds are allowed to drive an articulated lorry already, there is a clear case for allowing them also to drive all types of coach and bus services.”