A BUS company is offering a £1,000 joining bonus in a bid to attract more drivers amid continuing discontent among passengers over the number of service cancellations.

The bus company, First Bradford has received several complaints from service users after busses were delayed and cancelled due to a shortage of drivers among other factors including the impact of COVID-19 on the company.

First Bradford has set up a website to make applying for bus driver jobs simpler and set a joining bonus for drivers who already hold a license.

The shortage of drivers is a nationwide issue, and the company are doing their best to tackle the problem and enhance the system.

A spokesperson for First Bradford said: “Busses can be cancelled for a number of reasons but at times they have to be cancelled to get the timetable back on track. Another cause for cancellation could be a driver shortage as well as busses breaking down.

“As is being experienced across the bus industry, transport, and many public service businesses, the nationwide lack of drivers is currently placing pressure on some of our services. To manage this and maintain reliability and connections we have introduced temporary changes to some high-frequency routes in Bradford. 

“Our updated timetables have been adjusted to balance the travel needs of all our customers and minimise disruption.

“We continue to offer an attractive and competitive employee proposition, both for our existing dedicated team and for new drivers undergoing training. People are keen to become bus drivers and serve the Bradford community, and we are working to make that process as easy as possible.

“We would like to thank customers for their patience and understanding while we overcome this short-term staffing situation.”

One of the discontent passengers, Mick Gledhill described the service as ‘diabolical’ after he waited in the cold for nearly an hour for a bus that had been cancelled.

Mr Gledhill said: “This bus service is not fit for the 21st century,

“It’s a shambles and I know I’m not the only one who feels this way.

“We need a reliable service; I can wait around for an hour if I have to but what about elderly people who use the bus. I’m thinking about them and what they have to go through.

“We need a service we can trust, one that will be on time, and we can expect it to turn up.”