South Auckland bus drivers misled into breaking road rules

A union representing bus drivers is calling on Auckland Transport to come down hard on South Auckland bus operator Go Bus after claims it misled staff into breaking the law.

A spokesperson for Bus Drivers First, Louisa Jones, says drivers have been routinely required by their employer, Go Bus, to drive over five and a half hours without a break, a breach of the Land Transport Rule – Worktime and Logbooks 2007.

“Go Bus has set several of its driving schedules in such a way that it’s impossible to complete routes within the five and a half hour limit, essentially making it an illegal operating policy,” said Jones.

Drivers are at risk of having their licence revoked for breaking the Land Transport Rule which requires that all drivers must take a half hour break after driving more than five hours from the start of their work day.

“One diabetic driver I spoke too was deeply concerned about the length of time he has been required to drive without eating.”

“This way of operating isn’t just illegal it’s also extremely dangerous for drivers and the community,” said Jones.

Bus Drivers First, the union representing the drivers, also alleges that Go Bus has wrongly informed some drivers that they have an ‘exemption’ from this rule. The union contacted the New Zealand Transport Agency about the exemption and was told no such exemption exists.

A complaint has been made to the New Zealand Transport Agency who are undertaking an investigation into the matter.

ENDS

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