Stagecoach is offering new drivers a £2,500 signing on bonus if they join the company next week. The bus company is hoping to poach drivers worried about jobs with Bristol Community Transport.
It has laid on a recruitment event in a bid to tackle the shortage of drivers which has caused Stagecoach to cancel journeys across the West Country almost every day. The shortage of drivers is a national problem but has caused major problems for passengers across Bristol and the rest of the West Country.
And the bus company is now offering a £2500 ‘signing on bonus’ to any successful applicant who can attend an interview on Tuesday. The bus operator is hoping to benefit from the failure of HCT, a social enterprise providing bus services, social services transport, school buses, minibuses and more across the UK.
READ MORE: Bristol traffic LIVE and full list of Stagecoach buses cancelled
A Stagecoach statement said: "Following the news that HCT has gone into administration and will cease supporting Bristol Community Transport services, Stagecoach West appeals to any drivers affected by this company closure."
Would-be drivers should turn up at the Stagecoach Bristol depot at Pegasus Park on Tuesday, September 6 with their driving licence and a passport or birth certificate. They will be interviewed immediately and get the bonus in instalments if successful.
Martin Gibbon, operation director of Stagecoach West says: “We’d love to hear from any drivers affected by the situation at HCT and Bristol Community Transport. It must be a very worrying time for all those impacted.
"It’s well documented that many companies are experiencing staff shortages at the moment and we’re no exception. We’d love to be able to offer employment to any HCT drivers who have suddenly found themselves out of work.
“We pride ourselves on a friendly, inclusive working environment and welcome applications from all. We have a really close-knit driving team in Bristol with plenty of friendly faces to welcome you”
Metro Mayor Dan Norris recently visited Pegasus Park to discuss the situation and said Stagecoach is taking a number of measures to address a shortage of around 100 staff in the West Country.
He believes new pay rates are helping to attract new people to the business and retain existing staff and said The West of England Combined Authority is helping with skills training.
He said: “These are all really positive steps forward. In order to give West of Englanders the bus network they need and deserve. We must do all we can to tackle the number one challenge for buses right now - serious driver shortages.
“The investment that Stagecoach is making will be key to ensuring we can recruit and retain more bus drivers in the West of England and will support vital key workers through this cost-of-living crisis by getting more money into their pockets."
Drivers are paid £13.75 per hour on weekdays, £14 per hour on Saturdays and £15.70 per hour on Sundays. Stagecoach say they are guaranteed a minimum of 38 hours per week with the opportunity to earn more with overtime. Staff, partners and up to two children receive free travel on Stagecoach buses across the country and there is a company pension scheme and 20 days holiday.
To be eligible for the sign on bonus, the PCV Driver must turn up for interview at Stagecoach West, Pegasus Park, Gipsy Patch Lane, Little Stoke, Bristol, BS34 6QD and be employed by the company at the time of each payment.
The first payment of £1000 will arrive with the first paycheck and then there will be £500 after six months and a futher £1,000 after 12 months.
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