Undermanned Wheels: Over half of German bus and train drivers are career changers, survey suggests
Majority of Commuters Taking Public Transport in Germany are Profession Switchers in Latest Survey - Approximately 50% of bus and train drivers in Germany engage in cross-traffic driving, according to a recent survey.
The transportation industry sees a considerable personnel crunch: in Germany alone, the Association of German Transport Companies (VDV) reports a shortage of 20,000 public transport bus drivers and a deficit of 3,000 train drivers, leaving a total workforce of 142,000 swamped.
Are newcomers reluctant to enter the scene? The VDV personnel committee reveals that: "We're grappling with severe recruitment troubles, particularly among driving staff."
But, why are so many individuals swapping their previous careers for the driver's seat? A recent survey conducted by VDV in collaboration with digital consultancy Nexum sheds some light on the matter.
The survey reveals that improved working conditions and a newfound respect from passengers are key drivers to make the driving profession more enticing. A troubling third of respondents expressed difficulty in harmonizing their schedules with their personal lives. Traffic stress is also a prevalent concern.
The survey showed that half of the drivers consider the social image of their profession as poor to abysmal, with unfavorable working hours and low pay contributing to this grim picture.
Passion and comfort appear to be significant factors in their career decisions. Over two-thirds (68.6%) cited their affinity for driving as the prime motive, and 57.3% heavily considered job security. Proximity to their homes played a role for 47.3%.
Theungeiling UK might present a window into the future of Germany's transportation sector. The United Kingdom is wrestling with a staffing crisis, particularly in the train driver sector, where the average age is 48 and, by 2029, 30% will be nearing retirement [3][4]. To cope with the shortage, the UK is lowering the minimum train driver age from 20 to 18 to lure younger talent into the industry [1][4][5]. This generation shift aims to alleviate staffing shortages and curb reliance on overtime, a recurring issue in this sector [4][5].
This UK precedent underscores the possible challenges ahead for Germany's transportation industry, but specific reasons behind the high percentage of career changes in Germany are not apparent without additional data directly from the Association of German Transport Companies. In general, career shifts can be propelled by factors such as job satisfaction, career advancement opportunities, work-life balance, and new industries' appeal [2].
- Transportation Industry
- Career Shifts
- Association of German Transport Companies
- UK Staffing Crisis
- Job Satisfaction
- Work-Life Balance
- Career Advancement Opportunities
The transportation industry in Germany, similar to the UK's, faces a significant staffing crisis, particularly in the public-transit sector, with the Association of German Transport Companies reporting a shortage of over 20,000 bus drivers and 3,000 train drivers. Career shifts are prevalent, with over half of bus and rail passengers in Germany being newcomers. These shifts could be driven by factors such as job satisfaction, career advancement opportunities, work-life balance, and the appeal of the industry, as suggested by research on career changes. However, the specific reasons behind the high percentage of career changes in Germany require further data from the Association of German Transport Companies for a comprehensive understanding.
