June 13, 2018

Tranzurban managing director Paul Snelgrove says the company is “95% there” in its preparations to begin operation of passenger bus services in the Hutt Valley and Wellington.

New Hutt services begin this Sunday, with Wellington services getting under way from July 15.

“Four days to go before we begin our Hutt operations and we’ve recruited 210 drivers, with just 40 vacancies to fill,” says Snelgrove.

“More than 200 of the new Euro 6 buses have arrived in Wellington, and the new Upper and Lower Hutt depots are near completion.

“We’re at the stage where we can fill our recruitment needs within the broader Tranzit group.

“However, we know that some existing Wellington drivers feel uncertain about exiting their current arrangements with their current employer and joining our team.

“Most of these drivers can be certain that, at $22.20 an hour, they’ll be $134 better off over 40 hours worked with Tranzurban. Lower Hutt drivers will be on $21.40. They no longer need to worry about chasing overtime rates, or being excluded from those roster opportunities by senior drivers.

“We’ll be holding another round of our popular information sessions with drivers so they can see for themselves what a career at Tranzurban is like. We’ll also meet with the Tramways Union to discuss a possible collective agreement for their members.

“We’re very comfortable with working with Tramways, as we offer some of the best hourly rates and terms and conditions in the country, verified independently. A small number of drivers, who hog the overtime, won't be better off and they’re obviously free to choose not to join us.”

ENDS

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