January 31 2022

As part of industry wide efforts to recruit more bus and coach drivers the Confederation of Passenger Transport (CPT) has announced it is working with operators to run a recruitment week.

The recruitment week will run from 21 to 27 February and will focus on operators running open days and recruitment drives locally. CPT will be providing its members with resources including a myth busting sheet to help tackle negative perceptions about the industry, an online map where potential recruits can visit to find their local operator and a template press release should they want to promote the event with their local media.

With around one in ten driver jobs vacant across the bus and coach sector this CPT initiative, alongside the work of local operators, will be central to encouraging more people to consider a career in the bus and coach sector.  

CPT’s Operations Director Keith McNally said:

“As we exit the pandemic and seek to grow the number of people travelling by bus and coach to help us hit important net zero targets it is vital that operators have sufficient drivers to be able to run the services people need. 

“Bus and coach drivers are at the heart of their local communities helping people access jobs, education as well as health and leisure services. Many drivers once they enter the industry stay for decades and our recruitment week will help showcase the benefits of a career in bus and coach.”

The industry initiative is being supported by the Department for Transport and transport minister Baroness Vere said:

“The bus and coach industry is the lifeblood of our communities, ensuring we are able to get to work, education or to see family and friends.

“This is a brilliant initiative and I’d encourage anyone who is considering entering this important sector to find out more about the great opportunities that are available during the recruitment week. This industry initiative supports the wider work we’re doing to help people become bus drivers, including our measures to make 50,000 more bus, coach and HGV driving tests available each year.”

Any operator who wishes to find out more about the recruitment week should contact CPT Operations Director Keith McNally keith.mcnally@cpt-uk.org.