– You have possibly managed to push the limit of how much the drivers are able to stretch themselves to make the days go up. Magnus Andre Skår has been a bus driver for 16 years. Now it’s extra tough. It is not easy to notice him when he wishes his passengers a good morning and waves to other colleagues on the road. But Skår is tired. When the pandemic came, many foreign drivers disappeared and a vulnerable industry was put under even greater pressure. Now Skår is one of those trying to cover a larger area than before. – We get several questions about whether we can work overtime and work on holidays, but we have limitations on how much we can work, he says. This is expressed in a gloomy development over the past year. In one year, the number of settings in central Bergen has increased almost twentyfold. In Oslo, on the other hand, the number of settings has been stable over the past year. – HECTIC: Bus driver Magnus Andre Skår describes his own everyday life as hectic. Now he fears more drivers will drop out. Photo: Marit Hommedal / NTB Scanpix Driver crisis In recent months, news has written several stories about the long-announced bus crisis in Norway: Norway lacks up to 2,000 new bus drivers a year, but is struggling with recruitment. For many years, foreign labor has helped to remedy the challenges, but many left the country during the pandemic. Now every third Norwegian bus driver is over 60. Bergen is particularly exposed with a doubling of canceled departures in two areas: Bergen city center from 44 cancellations in September last year to 801 this year, and Bergen north with 21 compared to 490 cancellations in the same period. – They are tired, they have worked a lot of overtime. Some have grown tired of the conditions and have started to think about themselves, says bus driver Skår. County mayor: – We have control Director of Skyss Målfrid Vik Sønstabø points to the driver shortage as the reason for the large increase in appointments in Bergen. – There is a general driver shortage in the industry and this has then gone beyond these two route areas this year. And even if there is no crisis and chaos, this shows the importance of recruiting drivers, she says. The county council is responsible for public transport in the county. County mayor Jon Askeland (Sp), believes the situation is under control despite all the settings. – In the county as a whole, we have control, he says and adds: – We have ongoing dialogue with the bus companies about the challenges in central Bergen and partly in northern Bergen. They are working on it and we will manage it. I can’t say when it will happen, but I hope they manage it relatively quickly, he says. DIALOGUE: County mayor in Vestland Jon Askeland (Sp), says he has a close dialogue with the bus companies about how to solve the challenges in central Bergen and the north. Photo: Paul André Sommerfeldt Stable in Oslo In contrast to Bergen, the number of applications in Oslo is stable, with around 300 applications both last year and this year, figures from Ruter show. Why the difference between the two cities is so great probably doesn’t have a clear answer, but mobility within Norway is low when it comes to bus drivers. This is explained by researcher at the Institute of Transport Economics Jørgen Aarhaug. – You don’t move from one side of the country to the other to drive a bus. It is obvious that there are and will be regional differences when it comes to access to bus drivers, he says. Uncertain future behind the wheel Back in Bergen, Skår turns from the turning point at Støbotn. There have been delays in the rush and he does not have time to take a break before the next trip. – It is everyday food for us, he says. – What do you think about the future then? – It will be challenging. – But you are going to stay in the profession? – For the time being, I am in the profession. TAKING ON: When asked if he wants to stay in the profession, Magnus Andre Skår replies “for the time being”. Photo: Gerd Johanne Braadland
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Twenty-fold increase in canceled bus departures in central Bergen – Stable in Oslo – news Vestland
