April 1 - 30, 2026: Issue 653
Kiwis recruited for Local bus driver drought: Scruby eyes 2030 contract renewal
B1 at Warriewood. Photo: Joe Mills
On Monday April 20, 2026 the State Government announced New Zealand bus drivers are assisting one of the biggest headaches for Sydney commuters: the prolonged driver shortage on the Manly to Barrenjoey peninsula.
Three in ten bus service cancellations in Sydney occur on local routes because the area struggles to attract and retain enough drivers. Union members and former bus drivers stated in the past this is due to the wage rates offered since the route was privatised.
The government stated this bus driver deficit blew out past 500 after the Coalition privatised bus services and the Minns Government stated on Monday it has brought the deficit down to 179 last month through recruitment campaigns, free training and cash sign-on bonuses of up to $3000.
However, the wages may not be the only factor impacting local services.
Due to its comparatively high housing costs which price many workers out of the area, the bus driver shortage at peninsula depots has remained persistent over years and its services most susceptible to last-minute cancellation.
To address this, Transport for NSW states it has gone further afield than ever before in its recruitment search and has so far assisted 17 qualified bus drivers from New Zealand to get behind the wheel for private operator Keolis Downer in Region 8 which encompasses the lower north shore, Manly and Palm Beach.
The government states:
- Another 10-20 bus drivers are currently being recruited.
- Kiwi drivers willing to answer NSW’s call have their air fare paid and six weeks accommodation in the area provided rent-free.
- No visa is required for New Zealand drivers under mutual recognition arrangements between our two countries.
- They do not qualify for the $2000-$3000 cash sign-on bonuses offered to new and experienced Australian drivers.
Overall, bus driver job vacancies across Sydney have fallen from around 500 in April 2023 to 162 this month, and cancellations are down to 1.54 per cent of all scheduled services, the government states.
Minister for Transport John Graham said:
“Australians have a tradition of adopting New Zealanders as our own - think Russell Crowe, Neil Finn and Sam Neill. But if you’re waiting for a bus on Pittwater Road, the Kiwi driving the next service may just become your favourite import yet.
“We have worked overtime to reduce the bus driver shortage we inherited, but the deficit on the Northern Beaches has remained intractable. This is a special situation that has required a special fix.
“The Minns Labor Government wants to send a big kia ora to the 17 drivers from New Zealand who have so far helped us out with their experience and professionalism.”
Coordinator General Howard Collins said:
“This is a practical, targeted initiative that will help address driver shortages in one of the most challenging parts of the network to recruit for.
“Our door is always open to men and women who are interested in becoming bus drivers in NSW, and we encourage people from all backgrounds to consider this rewarding and essential career.
“By bringing in qualified drivers who can transition quickly into service, we’re strengthening reliability for passengers while continuing to build a sustainable local workforce.”
MP for Pittwater, Jacqui Scruby, also pointed to the privatisation of services, stating:
''While the NSW Government stepping in to support recruitment is welcome, the responsibility ultimately sits with Keolis as the operator of our local network. This is an example of the NSW Government stepping in to assist and financially support a private operator over and above their contract requirements.
Like the Northern Beaches Hospital, this highlights the pitfalls of privatisation of core, essential services that was the decision of the former Liberal government who engaged in contracts in theory designed to save the taxpayer with the reality being the operator was unable to deliver, letting residents down and requiring the NSW Government to assist them.
I’ve debated this issue in parliament making it clear that residents want the bus system to work. For that to be addressed properly more needs to be done to back our local bus drivers, make these jobs more attractive locally, through better pay, conditions, and more innovative recruitment and retention strategies.
People want better bus services - less cancellations, buses running on time and restoration of services, particularly the 190X timetable. After significant investment into the fleet, with bendy buses returned, new electric buses and new 10 new B1s about to arrive, the limiting factor is bus driver shortages.
Our community needs a bus network that is reliable, consistent. It must also be staffed by a workforce that is properly supported whether they are local or newly arrived and accountability for positive working conditions must remain clear.
With contracts up for renewal in 2030, the NSW Government and Keolis are on notice that the situation must deliver the services expected and deserved by residents now and in the long term.'' Ms Scruby said
190x start point. Photo: A J Guesdon/PON