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Staff shortages mean more bus services at risk

Follows a weekend of cancellations

Bus Vannin has admitted it's expecting difficulties fulfilling some services again this weekend.

It's being blamed on staff shortages with a number of vacancies and long-term absentees.

Last weekend, 23 services were 'unable to operate', which is said to have been lower than those highlighted as being at risk.

Now, the bus provider says it's likely there'll be issues again tomorrow, Saturday and Sunday.

If a service is highlighted as being at risk and then can be covered, further updates will be posted to Bus Vannin's Facebook page.

It says the problem is down to the fact that the current timetable needs drivers to work overtime, particularly at weekends, and last weekend it wasn't possible to secure enough drivers to run the full service.

Overtime is optional and many staff have continued to work additional hours to support the service in recent weeks. 

A driver’s hours must also be kept within daily and weekly agreed limits for safety reasons.

Due to current agreements it can be less than 24 hours before a service is due to run when it becomes clear it cannot be filled.

Also three longstanding private bookings last weekend were honoured and driven by office-based staff, not regular bus drivers.

A recruitment campaign is said to be underway to fill the 10 full-time vacancies Bus Vannin currently has out of the 92 drivers it needs.

Claims that 13 staff members have walked out are said to be inaccurate.

Bus Vannin has apologised for the disruption and is advising customers to use findmybus.im to track buses and gauge arrival times or call the Welcome Centre on 686801.

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