~ Why changing regulations won’t be enough for the demographic timebomb ~
The International Road Transport Union’s (IRU) Global Driver Shortage Report highlights a demographic timebomb, with young drivers under 25 a small minority, at just six or seven per cent of the driver population, in most regions of the world. Here, Roger Brereton, head of sales at steering system manufacturer Pailton Engineering, argues that simply lowering the age of entry is not enough to help solve this problem.
The world is currently facing a shortage of bus drivers, and this a problem that needs to be addressed as soon as possible. According to a 2021 report by the American Public Transport Association (APTA), the public transportation industry in the US is facing a severe shortage of up to 125,000 bus and rail operators. The data reflects similar crises in other regions, both in the developed and developing world. Here in the UK, a 2021 report by the Confederation of Passenger Transport found that the bus and coach industry faced a shortage that was equivalent to 20 per cent of the existing workforce.
One of the main reasons for this shortage is that the profession is ageing. As older drivers retire, there are not enough young people to replace them. This shortage has a significant impact on public transport, with long waiting times, overcrowded buses and unreliable services. To tackle this problem, some are calling for lowering the minimum age for bus drivers. In the EU, the minimum age for a bus driver is 21, and both the IRU and the European Passenger Transport Operators (EPTO) have lobbied to lower the age, claiming this would double the number of drivers under the age of 25 by 2030.
However, although this move might have a desirable impact, much more will need to be done to make the profession more attractive as a career for young people. While most focus on targeted recruitment campaigns and lobbying efforts to lower the age of entry, these approaches will be of limited value without improving the image of the bus and coach sector and improving conditions for drivers. In this area, investment in new technology could be beneficial.
New technology
New technology can play a crucial role in convincing young people to become bus drivers. Electric buses and hydrogen buses, for example, are eco-friendly and sustainable, which should appeal greatly to a generation that is more environmentally conscious. They are also quieter, smoother, and more comfortable to drive, which makes the job less stressful and more enjoyable.
Furthermore, new technology can make the job of a bus driver more manageable. For example, new buses are equipped with advanced safety features like lane departure warning systems, adaptive cruise control and collision avoidance systems. These features reduce the risk of accidents and make the job less physically demanding, allowing drivers to focus on driving and providing excellent customer service. These changes could also reinforce the case for lowering the minimum age for entry, as they reduce some of the risks and difficulties currently associated with the job.
Ergonomic cabin design also plays a part in reducing the physical demands of the job. Bus drivers commonly suffer from musculoskeletal disorders and backpain. According to a scientific literature review published in the Journal of Occupational Health, which reviewed a total of 56 studies in 23 different countries, between 43 and 93 per cent of bus drivers experienced musculoskeletal pain. The good news is that engineering innovations like highly adjustable steering columns can significantly reduce these risks.
Highly adjustable steering columns can be adjusted to the optimal height, depth, and tilt, ensuring that the driver has a comfortable and ergonomic driving position. This reduces the strain on the neck, shoulders and back, and improves the driver’s overall comfort and wellbeing. In addition, ergonomic cabin design can also include features like air suspension seats, climate control systems, and noise reduction technology, which further enhance the driver’s comfort.
Lowering the age for bus drivers isn’t enough to help solve the demographic timebomb facing the bus and coach sector. To create more young drivers, we also need to look toward those technologies that improve working conditions and make being a bus driver a more attractive career.
Pailton Engineering designs and manufactures custom steering systems for the bus and coach sector. To find out more, visit pailton.com
