Brisbane City Council has hired more than 400 new bus drivers this year as part of an ongoing recruitment campaign to keep Brisbane moving.
Lord Mayor, Adrian Schrinner said the 442 new recruits in 2023 had helped bolster the workforce to more than 2,600 drivers.
“Two-thirds of all public transport trips in Brisbane are taken on a bus, so our drivers play an essential role in keeping our city moving,” he said.
“At the first sign of bus driver shortages in Brisbane, we launched a major recruitment campaign to employ more drivers.
“A combination of ads on radio and LinkedIn and signage on buses has led to more than 1,500 applications received and 442 recruits to date.
“Brisbane City Council delivers more than 10,000 bus trips every day, so it’s important we make sure our workforce has the capacity to meet the demand.
“The recruitment campaign has already driven results with Brisbane City Council now delivering the second most reliable public transport in the country, beaten only by the autonomous Sydney Metro.”
The Lord Mayor said more drivers mean the Council can continue to deliver high-quality public transport.
“And we expect to hit 500 additional recruits before the year is out.”
“Our bus drivers do an incredible job, and I want everyone to keep saying thank you to our bus drivers.”
Council offers a comprehensive 30-day training program conducted by an expert driver training team.
The program includes both in-class and on-road training to support recruits in earning a Heavy Rigid Vehicle licence and prepare them for delivering passenger services.
A trainee bus driver is paid around $1,150 a week, with casual bus drivers paid around $37 per hour.
Civic Cabinet Chair for Transport, Councillor Ryan Murphy said people from all walks of life have taken an interest in becoming a bus driver.
“We have men and women of all ages and professions putting their hand up to drive a Brisbane bus,” Cr Murphy said.
“From hospitality workers and university students to educators and mothers returning to work, our workforce is a wonderful, safe, and diverse community.”
“Driving a bus for Brisbane City Council is a tremendous way to give back to the city, it’s such an important service for our residents and visitors.”
Former bicycle mechanic, 32-year-old. Jesse Williams graduated from the Council training in October.
“I love that there’s so much diversity. Every day the schedule is a little different, and the customers, as well as my workmates, come from all walks of life. You learn something new every day,” says Jesse.
Former chef, 58-year-old Brett Doidge was recruited in September and says he enjoys driving the city and “seeing all that Brisbane has to offer”.
Fifty-one-year-old Leisa Hassall has been a bus driver with Brisbane City Council since February last year.
“I’ve had the pleasure of meeting numerous individuals who made career transitions from diverse backgrounds like chefs, nurses, police officers, flight attendants, mechanics, and more,” she says.
“They’ve embraced the role of a Bus Operator with open arms and are genuinely enjoying their new careers.”
To learn more about becoming a bus operator from Brisbane City Council visit council’s website and search ‘bus operator’ or call Council on 07 3403 8888.
