(source: TASR )
Since Transport Company Bratislava (DPB) has been short of 50 drivers for a long time, it has started to seek employees in Ukraine, with some 30 new drivers from there expected to come to Bratislava by the beginning of September.
The complicated traffic situation and several transport projects have increased DPB’s need for new drivers. However, this profession is not very popular in Slovakia. Although DPB has taken many measures to stabilise its staff and attract new drivers, over 200 employees of the total 1,500 leave the company each year due to retirement and health-related problems.
“Ukrainian drivers will thus drive public city transport in Bratislava as well,” said Marián Áč, head of the DPB general director’s section, as cited by the TASR newswire. “All of them are holders of D-class driving licences and have experience with driving in large towns.”
DPB hopes to have at least 30 new drivers from Ukraine here by the end of September, and their number might be even higher at the end of the year. Lack of drivers is not just a problem for Bratislava or Slovakia, but for all of Europe.
DPB has also called for the minimum age for bus and trolleybus drivers to be reduced from 24 to 21 years.
“It would help us if the age limit were reduced to 21 years,” said Áč. “It’s important that drivers are well-selected and undergo thorough training.”
DPB is also striving to attract new drivers with several benefits, such as recruitment contributions, the opportunity to obtain the required driving licence for free, fare discounts and a financial contribution for accommodation.
There are 1,452 drivers currently working for DPB, including 82 women. The company employs 892 bus drivers, 22 of which are women; 291 tram drivers, 59 of which are women and 269 trolleybus drivers, one of which is a woman. Another 50 drivers are required to reach the ideal number.
