Out of 365 drivers hired by De Lijn last year, only 298 are still in the job, according to Flemish newspaper Het Belang van Limburg, citing information requested by MP Els Robeyns from Flemish Mobility Minister Lydia Peeters. “This should set off alarm bells,” said Robeyns.
In other words, one in six drivers that joined last year have already left the position.
In the rest of the company, personnel turnover is also high. In 2020, 808 employees started at De Lijn. By 31 December, 724 were still in employment. By the end of 2021, this number fell to 667, a total reduction of 20%.
“The figures show that the profession of bus driver needs to be made more attractive. One in six leaving within a few months is an absurd number. There must be serious things wrong. In Antwerp, trams were recently cancelled due to staffing problems. If there is no intervention, this will happen even more,” Robeyns noted.
Struggling company
Local residents have become increasingly disgruntled with the Flemish transport company after two years of the Covid-19 pandemic. In June, just 65% of travellers returned to its services compared to 2019.
Traffic Minister Johan Sauwens said that budget cuts had slashed the availability of drivers and reduced the number of departures. In April, 1 in 50 buses did not depart due to a lack of staff. Robeyns blames a lack of investment.
“If there is no intervention, this will happen even more often. This is not the way to motivate people to take public transport. I think the focus should be on working conditions and pay. Without drivers, there will be no public transportation, and this at a time when many people want to leave their car because of fuel prices,” Robeyns added.
Figures show that the average age of remaining staff is rising. In 2017, the average age of a driver was 44-years-old. In 2021, it rose to 45.3. While in 2017, 3.6% of drivers were over 60, in 2021 this figure has risen to 6.2%. Robeyns said that De Lijn had failed to prepare for a wave of retirements.
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In a comment to Het Belang van Limburg, a spokesperson for De Lijn conceded that staff retention was a problem for the company.
“We do indeed observe a rapid outflow, especially early in their career. Relatively, the figures are not so bad compared to other companies. But we do consult on this with all interested parties, such as unions and job applicants,” the company representative said.
De Lijn blames many of the early departures of staff on working hours. Drivers often have to wait on call for large periods of the day and can be called up to drive early in the morning and into the evening.
Els Robeyns is scheduled to ask the mobility Minister for an official explanation on Thursday during the upcoming Mobility and Public Works Committee.
