“Entry into a profession that is an essential service for millions of European citizens should be facilitated by regulators, not blocked,” said Umberto de Pretto. For example, in Germany, it costs EUR 9,000, on average, to obtain a licence, over four times the minimum monthly wage. The minimum driving age should be lowered in individual countries without accompanying distance restrictions such as the 50km limit.īecoming a driver is also expensive due to high licence, training and insurance costs. The “school-to-wheel” gap is a key barrier to attracting new drivers. In many European countries, the minimum driving age for passenger transport is between 21 and 24. Governments and the industry must work together to defuse this demographic timebomb,” said Umberto de Pretto. “The bus and coach driver profession offers an opportunity to reduce youth unemployment while increasing the number of essential workers. “The shortage of bus and coach drivers has increased by 54% since last year, but what is even more concerning is the low rate of young people entering the profession in comparison to the high rate of older drivers retiring,” he added. Services are already being interrupted due to a lack of drivers.” IRU Secretary General Umberto de Pretto said, “Transport operating companies across Europe are struggling to find drivers. The problem is particularly acute for regional bus, scheduled long distance and tourism coach services. The bus and coach sector’s post-COVID growth has increased demand for drivers and over 80% of operators are facing severe, or very severe, difficulties filling positions. This is an increase of 54% since 2022, impacting services for millions of users. There are now 105,000 open positions in Europe, 10% of the total professional driver population. ![]() It’s forecast to get much worse over the next five years without significant action.īus and coach driver shortages are growing in Europe. IRU’s 2023 driver shortage report found that unfilled bus and coach driver positions are on the rise in Europe. Only 3% of drivers are below 25, and just 16% are women.Driver shortages are forecast to more than double in five years, reaching 275,000.Over 80% of bus and coach operating companies face severe difficulties to fill driver positions.Europe has 105,000 unfilled bus and coach driver positions, 10% of the total.
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