Public transport under pressure – bus drivers are also missing in Vorarlberg

Inflation, climate protection, traffic avalanche – there are many good reasons to switch to public transport. The state government has therefore set itself the goal of expanding the range. But without a driver implementation will be difficult. In other states, such as Salzburg, lines even had to be shut down again due to staff shortages.

In Vorarlberg, the situation is also critical: overtime is exploding, drivers are at the limit. This makes it increasingly difficult to operate all bus lines. If the tense staff situation worsens, timetables could also be thinned in Vorarlberg. That is not yet the case, but the price for this is high. “It will only work because we all stay together,” says Works Council chairman Karin Heinzle of Postbus GmbH.

“It will not take much longer”
14-hour days are now the norm. Overtime accumulates and cannot be reduced. “Driving and rest times are respected, but the drivers can’t really relax because they are working between journeys. This won’t last long. It’s about people, not machines. Even if the legal framework is complied with, the employees suffer a lot. In the long run, no one can last that long.”

Verbal attacks and insults are now part of everyday life
Especially because the drivers are on duty six days in a row for several weeks. “At the moment you just notice a general overstrain. People are frustrated and tired. In addition, motivation drops sharply because many have the feeling that nothing will change in the near future.” In addition, the proverbial hell is breaking loose on the streets, the drivers are behaving increasingly aggressively, there is a lack of respect and appreciation: “Verbal attacks and verbal abuse are now part of everyday life.” It is therefore not surprising that many drivers throw in the towel.

“But it is also very difficult for our coordinators at the moment. They have a bad conscience if they have to call someone who is actually free,” Heinzle said. An approaching wave of retirement is likely to worsen the situation.

How to make the job more attractive?
But how can additional staff be attracted given the fierce competition for employees in all sectors? Reinhard Stemmer, state chairman of the responsible trade union vida, knows the answer: “For this, the profession must become more attractive.” That means, “Needs-based working time models and higher salaries, roster security and flexibility on the part of the company, as well as better security concepts.”

In addition, public tenders should be based on the principle of the best and not the cheapest bidder. That would also guarantee high working conditions, says Stemmer.

Interested parties without a driver’s license are also welcome
Postbus GmbH is aware of the problems: “There is currently a vacancy in Vorarlberg for about 15 additional drivers. The shifts are currently distributed in such a way that overtime is worked and the holiday schedule has to be adapted to the available human resources,” says a written statement. In this way, scheduled services can be handled without restrictions.

A new recruitment program has also been introduced to attract employees. In the near future, interested parties without a driving license will also be contracted. They can catch up on the driver’s license in a kind of dual training.

The railways are also looking for staff
Incidentally, there is also a staff shortage at ÖBB. By 2027, there are about 135 vacancies per year (!) for buses and trains to be filled – in addition to PO Box drivers and train drivers, there are also coordinators, train supervisors, shifters and employees in the “Technical Services” department. Sounds like a huge job. Given the bleak reality, it is more than a question of whether the wish for a further expansion of public transport will come true.