The New Zealand government is moving to pass new legislation that would increase pay for the nation’s bus drivers while also welcoming more migrants into the industry.
The third reading of the bill in parliament has been passed under urgency, with NZ attorney-general and transport minister David Parker saying the legislation replacing the outdated public transport model would be a major support to drivers.
After passing its third reading, Parker says the legislation would result in a fairer system that supports paying bus drivers a decent wage to help retain them and improve service reliability.
Parker says the new Sustainable Public Transport Framework under the Regulation of Public Transport Bill supports the government’s commitment to better public transport.
“National’s Public Transport Operating Model put profits before people. It cut transport subsidies and forced services to be contracted out, rewarding operators that paid lower wages to drivers. The result was drivers abandoning their jobs, creating chronic driver shortages and reduced service levels,” Parker says.
“This government had to intervene to fix the driver shortages by paying for better wages and conditions over and above those locked in under National, along with allowing for some recruitment of migrant drivers.”
Parker says the new framework provides for long-term sustainability of public transport by ensuring fair and equitable treatment of workers throughout the system, through planning and service provision.
“Regional councils will be able to own assets and operate services if that is the best option for their communities. Collaboration will be encouraged between councils to plan inter-regional services and better-connect public transport infrastructure and services,” Parker says.
“A fairer and more sustainable public transport system will help improve pay and conditions for the workforce and make more liveable cities. These changes will create a more reliable system for the future.”