Driving buses in Sydney is hard work. Generally the privatised bus companies treat their staff very badly. Maybe Lorna works for Transport for New South Wales as a bus driver which has decent working conditions. This is a nice little story about Lorna.
And another story posted below. Post Covid lockdowns there has been a huge shortage of Sydney bus drivers, with timetables having been altered to deal with the shortage of drivers and nightmare waits for some passengers as full buses pass them by. Yet they, Sydney Buses or a private company had the cheek to ask potential drivers for an application fee. That is outrageous.
Photos from Channel 9.
In 1964, Lorna’s first job in the bus industry was as a conductor, collecting fares on a double decker – just like this one.
She went on to become a driver, breaking down gender barriers in an industry that’s been historically dominated by men.
Our buses look a little different in 2024, and collecting fares is as simple as a tap of the Opal. But 60 years after her first shift, Lorna still loves the bus industry and is now working as a duty officer at Kingsgrove depot.
As we work to fix the bus driver shortage in NSW, we know getting more women behind the wheel will help.
We’ve simplified the paperwork, removed the application fee, and we're working every day to improve driver conditions and facilities.
You could have a career as wonderful and rewarding as Lorna’s by signing up to be a driver today.
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Lovely story about Lorna - what a trooper! I don't think potential drivers will be inspired by bus companies asking for application fees. I mean, suppose someone applies, pays the application fee and then isn't appointed?
ReplyDeleteJB, that's quite right. The cost of employing staff is on the business, not on the employee and nor the unemployed person who can probably least afford it.
DeleteIf they are desperate for staff then an application fee certainly wouldn't help matters. Whoever thought that one up?
ReplyDeleteJayCee, I think your logic is unassailable but clearly we lack understanding of business operations.
DeleteCorporate greed dominates.
ReplyDeleteRoentare, it is getting worse.
DeleteI'm not surprised there was a shortage, if you had to pay even to apply! I expect some wooden headed bureaucrat thought it would cut down on unserious applicants, and save them time.
ReplyDeleteBoud, it would be reasonably easy to get rid of unserious applicants at the first step of reading their resume.
DeleteStalker
ReplyDeleteAndrew
In 1964 I went by double decker school bus to school. The fare was 30 shillings Aussie a term. I think the buses were painted a green and cream m colour . And of course a boxy shape. No one dared misbehave as we were kitted out in full school uniform including hats and gloves
Stalker, I wonder if you thought it was fun to travel on a double decker? I think the novelty would soon wear off. They were indeed green and cream, as were our trams back then. Yes, most conductors would jump on anyone misbehaving. I also wonder if four years earlier you would have been travelling on a tram.
DeleteI have never heard of a company charging an application fee. The only possible logic I can come up with is that they are trying to prevent people from wasting their time. A friend who owned a school bus company related the story of a nice young man who submitted an application. He brought the guy in for an interview and talked to him about some gaps in his employment history. The guy matter of factly explained that he had been in jail (multiple times). He also announced he was no longer on probation. My friend explained that all bus drivers need to be cleared by the state. He said he was pretty sure that he wouldn't pass the background check. He also asked if he would be required to pass a drug test. He was easily weeded out, but my friend complained that he could not even count the number of people he'd interviewed, sent of the paperwork and money for the background test only to have them fail the drug test, wasting no only his time but his money too.
ReplyDeleteThat's an interesting take on the issue. But nowadays background checks are available for (I think) a small subscription fee. Hmmm...
DeleteWhen I paid for my own to get clearances for working with children and developmentally disabled, it cost $45 several years back. My drug test was paid for by the facility.
DeleteDebby, I can understand that, and I am sure there are processes now that can prevent someone to an interview stage. However, I still think it is cost of business, not a prospective employee.
DeleteDarla, it is hard to imagine someone here would get to the interview, in the situation described by Debby.
DeleteAnon, so you had to pay to prove your innocence, not the employer to find you guilty of something. It's wrong.
DeleteI used to see a few female bus drivers in the big smoke but none down here now you have made me think about it. I wonder if it is too late to train!
ReplyDeleteMerlot, I think it might be around 35 to 40% of female tram drivers. Train drivers maybe 20 to 25%. There seems to be less female bus drivers than there was ten years ago.
DeleteNice story. I love that they did a mural of her.
ReplyDeleteSandra sandracox.blogspot.com
Sandra, she sure deserves respect.
DeleteStrange business model this bus company has.
ReplyDeleteKirk, I've since learnt it is a private company that operates the bus service where she now works. I don't think its contract should be renewed .
DeleteI tend to agree with Boud that an application fee would sort out those who ‘have to apply’ (job search) from those who ‘want to apply’. I wonder if it was refundable?
ReplyDeleteIt’s good to see Trams Trains and Buses with female drivers these days.
Cathy, I think a good HR person would weed out those who were just applying because of Centrelink's requirements. Even if someone has a dodgy history, should they not be allowed to apply if they are now clean?
DeleteWhen I saw the story about Lorna I couldn't unsee the commode -like chair she was sitting on.
ReplyDeleteGood on her, what a long career in a job where she was probably abused and a minority
Kylie, I just thought, like I do, she needed a chair and any chair will do. She would have certainly been a minority, and maybe abused at times, but that can be part of the job for men and women, unfortunately.
DeleteI was thinking of copping abuse because it's a customer service job. All customer service people need medals
DeleteYou sure as heck don't want me behind the wheel! I never did learn to drive and I'm not starting now. Lorna has done well to stick with it for so long.
ReplyDeleteRiver, I remain disappointed that you won't usurp Brenda to be oldest checkout chick in Australia.
DeleteGood grief, an application fee! It's no wonder they can't get bus drivers as there is no surity of getting a job anyway.
ReplyDeleteIndeed, Margaret, and most unemployed people don't have wads of cash to pay for application fees.
DeleteWorking as a bus driver is really hard work! I sympathize with all those people who spend their lives working on such an important public service as city buses or public buses. Thanks for sharing Lorna's story.
ReplyDeleteAlicia, as someone who worked in public transport for forty plus years, I do really understand. Thanks for your comment.
DeleteAn application fee! That's outrageous.
ReplyDeleteNo argument from me about that Marie.
DeleteIt's good that Lorna's excellent service has been properly acknowledged. The world needs more Lornas.
ReplyDeleteSuch loyalty to a workplace is seldom rewarded nowadays YP.
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