![Pinterest](https://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=https://uknews.evprotec.com/bus-boss-admits-public-getting-worst-service-in-40-years-amid-driver-shortage/&media=https://uknews.evprotec.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/0_MAIN-JS282712671.jpg&description=Exclusive: First Bus' Paul Matthews, boss of the West Yorkshire arm, said the service in Britain is the "worst" in decades, blaming it on "labour availability" amid a major crisisA national shortage of drivers and fall in passengers has been blamed for the bus crisis A bus boss has admitted the service the public is getting is the 'worst' in 40 years. A national shortage of drivers and fall in passengers has been blamed for the bus crisis which has caused routes to be axed, delays and cancellations. The elderly say they have been left shivering in the cold and 'layering up' to cope with the extra bus stop waits. While women told the Mirror they have been walking home in the dark after buses fail to show. Currently there is a 9% vacancy rate for bus drivers in the UK and 15% vacancy rate for coach drivers according to the transport trade body. Latest figures reveal a 20% decline in passenger journeys across Britain compared to pre-pandemic levels in 2018/19 – when services were already at their lowest levels since the 1980s. An electronic sign at Leeds City bus station showing cancellations of services ( Asadour Guzelian) First Bus's Paul Matthews, boss of the West Yorkshire arm, told Leeds city councillors last week: 'It's the worst quality of service that's been delivered in my 40 years in the industry, because of labour availability.' On Friday a bus driver in Leeds told us how he also believes it is the worst bus crisis in his 36 years behind the wheel. Dave Neville, a Unite member, points out the cancellations on the screen at Leeds City bus station, three out of 14 not running. He said: 'I'm proud of my job but it's disheartening because I sympathise with the passengers here who sit and wait an hour and 10 minutes instead of 10. Dr Joe Pawley gave his opinion on the state of the buses ( Asadour Guzelian) 'They have got to get to work or they don't get paid, it can be annoying. 'But the drivers are getting more pay and better hours if they go to trucks.' One of){kind=link}
First Bus’ Paul Matthews, boss of the West Yorkshire arm, said the service in Britain is the “worst” in decades, blaming it on “labour availability” amid a major crisis
A bus boss has admitted the service the public is getting is the “worst” in 40 years.
A national shortage of drivers and fall in passengers has been blamed for the bus crisis which has caused routes to be axed, delays and cancellations.
The elderly say they have been left shivering in the cold and “layering up” to cope with the extra bus stop waits.
While women told the Mirror they have been walking home in the dark after buses fail to show.