Although the monthly salary of a bus driver might be as high as NT$70,000, bus companies in greater Taipei are short of drivers, as the job has long work hours, is high stress and considered high risk.
A driver surnamed Lu (盧), who has been driving buses for 10 years, said that the role has changed from a transport industry to a service industry, adding that in the past drivers were required to have a license and some relevant training, but now drivers are expected to “provide good service and maintain a good atmosphere,” and often have to attend training sessions.
A former bus driver surnamed Lee (李) said that a passenger once filed a complaint against him, and the company said he had a “bad work attitude,” leading to a salary deduction and low evaluation grade.
“Now is the age of ‘customers first,’ but if passengers are not being treated like emperors, we can be penalized because of something they say,” Lee said.
A veteran bus driver, speaking on condition of anonymity, said that too many “good service” requirements and passenger complaints are key reasons some senior drivers have quit, but new people are reluctant to join.
Other bus drivers said that although the salary might seem good, “you can only get good pay when you work long hours.”
To earn more than NT$40,000 a month, drivers have to work a 10-hour day, with just four days off a month. As for those driving the premium routes, they might need to work a 12-hour day, with irregular time off and meal breaks.
However, the bus companies’ association, bus drivers’ unions and bus operators have reached an agreement to raise driver salaries after a fare increase.
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