Kyoto bus operator declares 1st ‘state of emergency’ due to driver shortage

KYOTO — The municipal transportation bureau here declared a “state of emergency” for the first time on Sept. 27, claiming they can no longer secure enough bus drivers.

The aim of the Kyoto Municipal Transportation Bureau’s emergency declaration is reportedly “to overcome the crisis by raising awareness that the shortage of workers is also affecting the city’s bus services.” Due to unsuccessful recruitment efforts, since June, when a major timetable revision was made for the first time in 10 years, drivers are more notably having to work overtime and even on holidays to manage the reduced workforce.

According to the bureau, 880 bus drivers are needed to maintain the current schedule and routes, but there was a shortage of 50 drivers as of Sept. 1. While the labor shortage wasn’t so noticeable before the coronavirus pandemic thanks to a systematic hiring system, in a recruitment exam this September, only 44 candidates applied for the approximately 70 openings. As such, the bureau has no prospect of filling the vacancies.

Of the 810 city buses, 40% are outsourced to private companies for operation. To avoid competition for existing drivers, the hiring of full-time employees from fiscal 2024 has been limited to those without a class 2 large motor vehicle driver’s license. About 40 drivers are expected to leave their jobs this fiscal year alone, and nearly 10 retire each year. The bureau apparently needs an additional 158 drivers in order to improve working conditions such as increasing the number of holidays.

As an emergency measure, the bureau will hold its third recruitment exam of this fiscal year in November, aiming to hire approximately 70 new drivers, and will explore measures to prevent employee turnover.

(Japanese original by Yoko Minami, Kyoto Bureau)