Foreign drivers must solve the Utrecht bus company's staff shortage 

After months of staff shortages, cancellations and delays, bus operator Transdev is trying to improve the timetable in Utrecht by using European migrant workers as bus drivers. It concerns more than a hundred people from different countries. The migrant workers help to "reliably implement" the timetable, Transdev told RTV Utrecht.

Of the 1,300 drivers in the region, 117 come from other countries in Europe. This concerns, for example, Spain, the Czech Republic, Poland and Greece. The public transport company is looking for even more experienced foreign drivers.

They will then receive a one-year contract through an employment agency. Although most drivers do not speak Dutch, they can speak English. "You would rather have the bus drive than have a driver speak Dutch, says a spokesperson for the traveler association Rover.

"Dutch-speaking drivers are currently difficult to find. Room in shared house After the year, the new directors can work through a temporary employment agency employed by Transdev. They will then have the opportunity to take Dutch language lessons, a company spokesperson told the regional broadcaster.

"So that they can integrate even better within our organization. According to the spokesperson, this also improves contact with travelers. The employment agency arranges a room in a shared house for the foreign bus drivers.

The costs of the home are deducted from your salary. The cabinet previously made plans to abolish this construction. Partly because the dependence on the employer would be too great in this way.

If someone loses their job, they also end up on the street. These government plans ultimately fell through. Double pay In December last year, Transdev and Keolis took over transport in Utrecht from Qbuzz, which caused major inconvenience to travelers from the start.

Buses were often delayed or did not show up at all and drivers worked overtime to fill schedules, while absenteeism due to illness is high. At the beginning of last month, Transdev announced that it would pay drivers who work extra shifts during the summer period more. Until August 29, drivers will receive double their hourly wages for all extra services.

In the meantime, travelers will be compensated for the chaos this fall with lower rates and money back on season tickets. No room for stricter requirements It is not the first time that foreign drivers are used to fill shortages in the Netherlands. Last year, six Filipino drivers were flown in to Brabant to work for various companies.

Carrier Transdev will also deploy bus drivers from abroad in various cities in Gelderland. Transdev took over transport there at the end of June. This concerns sixty to eighty drivers from various European countries.

The Gelderse Staten faction of the PVV expressed concerns about communication between drivers and travelers. The party called it undesirable that drivers do not speak Dutch and fears problems for passengers who need help or information. However, according to the province, the current labor market shortage leaves little room for stricter requirements.

"We share the opinion that it is desirable for drivers to speak Dutch, says a spokesperson. "At the same time, we prefer driving buses to having full command of Dutch.