Hundreds of bus drivers trained to help shortage

The drivers have been trained and passed their practical tests within the last 12 months.

More than 220 bus drivers have been trained to help a regional shortage.

The West of England Combined Authority (Weca) has provided funding to help train and recruit new bus drivers for First Bus and other operators.

This was done using some of the £105 million secured by regional Mayor Dan Norris for a bus service improvement plan.

He said: “I am building the sustainable West of England bus network residents deserve, and frankly, need.”

'Severe driver shortage'

Eighteen bus routes were cut in Bristol in the autumn of 2022 partly due to a shortage of drivers.

Mr Norris said: "Driving a bus is a really great job.

"But I’ve always said one of the biggest challenges for buses right now is the severe bus driver shortage.

"That’s why I launched a big bus driver recruitment campaign and used funding to train up the next generation of West of England bus drivers."