Stats Show Over Half of German Bus and Train Drivers are Career Shifters
Majority of Bus and Train Travelers in Germany Identified as Unauthorized Passengers - Over 50% of bus and train operators in Germany hold licenses for both buses and trains.
Here’s a shocker: close to 100K bus drivers are hustling in Germany, but a whopping 20,000 shortage in local transport alone (VDV stats). The train driver scene isn't much better, with 40K drivers and a shortage of 3,000. Harald Kraus, VDV personnel committee chairman, isn't mincing words, “We're facing a hell of a challenge recruiting staff due to demographic reasons, particularly drivers.”
The industry believes grinding work schedules, passenger disrespect, and stressful traffic conditions are major turn-offs for potential drivers. In a survey, a third (30%) of responding drivers confess they struggle fitting work into their private lives. The traffic woes are real, folks, and that's a heavy burden to bear!
Turning the tables, 51% of drivers admit the social image of their job leaves much to be desired, with unfair working hours and niggardly pay cited as contributing factors. But don't get them wrong — more than two-thirds (68.6%) got into the driver's seat for the love of driving, job security convinced 57.3%, and proximity to home mattered to 47.3%.
VDV, the transport power-brokers, teamed up with digital consultants Nexum to survey 1,425 employees in the industry. Call it a move to unveil why this career shift's happening!
- Germany
- Career changers
- Berlin
- Association of German Transport Companies
- Survey
Now, here’s some context:
Career Shift Motivators
- Job Security and Stability: Public transportation is a necessity, offering stable employment opportunities that appeal to career shifters.
- Increased Demand for Sustainable Transportation: Europe’s shift towards eco-friendly transportation sparks demand for skilled drivers and operators.
- Variety of Work Environment: Train and bus drivers get to explore different environments and routes, offering variety and excitement.
- Opportunities for Advancement: As the transportation sector grows, so do career advancement and specialization opportunities.
- Sense of Community: Drivers have regular interactions with the public, fostering a sense of community and social connection.
While we’re still waiting for specific details on VDV’s survey, these factors provide a general idea of what’s attracting career changers to the transportation industry. Bottom line: there’s a driver shortage in Germany, and it ain’t easy being a bus or train driver!
- In an effort to understand the reasons behind the career shift in the transport industry, VDV (the Association of German Transport Companies) has collaborated with digital consultants Nexum to survey 1,425 employees in Berlin, Germany.
- The survey reveals that job security and stability, along with the increased demand for sustainable transportation, are key motivators attracting career changers to public-transit roles.
- As the transportation sector continues to grow, opportunities for advancement and specialization become increasingly available, making it an attractive field for those looking for career changes in Germany.
