Saturday, March 30, 2024

goBay drivers sign on for wage rise

Hawke’s Bay goBay drivers will be paid the Living Wage of $22.10 per hour from 1 July 2021, Hawke’s Bay Regional Council has announced.

The pay increase will be funded jointly by the Council and Waka Kotahi.

Regional Council Group Manager Policy and Regulation, Katrina Brunton said the Regional Council and Go Bus Transport were proud to have worked together for the drivers, recognising the important work they do.

“With support from Waka Kotahi we’ve been able to make this increase to the living wage for our urban bus drivers,” says Mrs Brunton.

“With almost 50,000 passenger trips each month across the goBay network, our bus drivers perform a valuable role in the Hawke’s Bay community, safely transporting passengers to their places of work, schools, shops and elsewhere.”

The Living Wage will then increase to $22.75 on 1 September 2021.

Go Bus Transport Ltd Chief Operating Officer Nigel Piper says it was welcome news.

“It’s great news that the Regional Council is making this possible, and it will certainly help our current drivers and improve recruitment of new drivers in a very competitive market,” says Mr Piper.

Council said urban bus driver recruitment and retention had been an issue in Hawke’s Bay, with bus drivers leaving to become truck drivers and fruit pickers in order to earn a higher hourly rate.

Find out more about urban bus service, timetables, and ticketing at www.gobay.co.nz

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