– All trips must go in line with the order and timetable, says director of Østfold public transport Børre Johnsen. In recent weeks, sickness absence has been sky high among bus drivers in the Lower Glomma region. On certain days, one in four bus drivers has been away from work. At worst, up to 70 departures have been cancelled. Many travelers have therefore had to wait in vain for buses that never arrived at the stop. – It is a new situation for us, says Johnsen. Earlier this year, Nobina took over the bus routes in Nedre Glomma. The company operates public transport in Fredrikstad, Sarpsborg, Råde and Hvaler. Over 150,000 people live in the coverage area. For each canceled trip, Nobina must pay a fee of around NOK 7,000. In a single day, Nobina had to fork out almost NOK 500,000. So far, no departures have been canceled this week, according to Østfold public transport. Photo: Benjamin Vorland Andersrød / news National shortage is to blame – The reason for the challenges is the national shortage of bus drivers, writes Marketing Director of Nobina Karine Nordseth in an e-mail to news. A complicated start-up has made it worse, according to the marketing director. – We are not satisfied and our work continues with a view to creating a punctual and reliable service. – How much did the many settings cost you? – This is not a question of finances, but of ensuring that our passengers have a public transport system that they can trust, writes Nordseth. Have given a clear message – I fully understand that this creates frustration and despair among the passengers, says county councilor for transport in Viken Olav Skinnes (Sp) in a press release. They have clearly informed Nobina that the challenges must be resolved, so that travelers get a good and predictable bus service. – The residents of Nedre Glomma have not had that in recent weeks, says Skinnes. Fredriksstad Blad has previously discussed the problem in a number of articles. County council for transport in Viken county Olav Skinnes (Sp) Photo: Heiko Junge / NTB Picking up drivers from other areas Now Nobina has deployed ten extra drivers and two extra traffic controllers to improve the situation, according to Johnsen in Østfold public transport. They have also brought in drivers from other regions to make the cabal go up. – Several important changes have been made to our shift plans to create better conditions for a more sustainable working day, fewer delays and more punctual and reliable public transport, says Nobina’s marketing director. So far, no flights have been canceled this week. – Now we are in a situation where we are convinced that this will go well, and that people can once again trust that the bus will come, says Børre Johnsen. Nobina must pay in excess of NOK 7,000 in fees for each trip that is not run. Photo: Benjamin Vorland Andersrød / news Chosen cheapest option Nobina will operate the buses in Nedre Glomma for the next twelve years. Among the suppliers who offered to run the buses, Nobina had the cheapest offer: Nobina: NOK 251 million a year. Vy bus: NOK 266 million a year. Boreal Bus: NOK 266 million a year. Vy Buss and Boreal Buss did better in terms of both quality and environment, but Nobina won the competition, partly because of price.
ttn-69
Sky-high sickness absence has led to bus chaos in the Nedre Glomma region – news Oslo and Viken – Local news, TV and radio
