'Intolerable' shortage of crews in Scotland
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• A shortage of drivers and conductors is proving an "intolerable burden" in the operation of Edinburgh municipal transport services. With crew strength at the moment 350 below establishment and an average daily sick rate of between 160 and 190, the position is aggravated by absenteeism involving anything from 200 to 300 drivers and conductors every day.
A spokesman for the transport department said last week that recruitment and training was going on six days a week in an effort to improve the manning.of services. "It is a very worrying position. The transport manager and his staff are doing everything in their power to try and find a remedy", he added.
Making allowances for shift-working and so on, the position during morning and lunch-time rush-hours was such that about 78 buses which could have been in service were standing idle.
The Edinburgh position is reflected throughout Scotland generally, though to a lesser degree. The Scottish Bus Group are short of some 900 bus crew personnel, the position being more acute around Glasgow and Lanarkshire.