Auckland Transport says it's been working hard to trim down the bus driver shortage.

It's managed to cut it by 72% since its peak, and the agency only needs to recruit another 170 drivers.

Auckland Transport Metro Optimisation Manager Richard Harrison says they've searched both locally and internationally for drivers.

He told Francesca Rudkin that pay has been a key factor in getting people on board.

He says the average wage is now 28 dollars an hour, with hopes that help from the Government can get that up to 30 dollars.

LISTEN ABOVE

Auckland Transport says it's been working hard to trim down the bus driver shortage.
It's managed to cut it by 72% since its peak, and the agency only needs to recruit another 170 drivers.
Auckland Transport Metro Optimisation Manager Richard Harrison says they've searched both locally and internationally for drivers.
He told Francesca Rudkin that pay has been a key factor in getting people on board.
He says the average wage is now 28 dollars an hour, with hopes that help from the Government can get that up to 30 dollars.
LISTEN ABOVE

A fresh and intelligent start to your day - catch the very latest international and domestic news developments, sport, entertainment and business on Early Edition with Ryan Bridge, on Newstalk ZB.

A fresh and intelligent start to your day - catch the very latest international and domestic news developments, sport, entertainment and business on Early Edition with Ryan Bridge, on Newstalk ZB.

Early Edition with Ryan Bridge

Richard Harrison: Auckland Transport Metro Optimisation Manager on minimising the bus driver shortage

Germany's far-right AfD is piling pressure on parties to work with them after a state election win. 

Preliminary results show the party is three seats short of an outright majority in Saxony-Anhalt. 

However most German political parties refuse to work with the AfD. 

If it finds support, it would be the first far-right party to govern a German state since World War II. 

Sky News European Correspondent Alastair Bunkall told Ryan Bridge there's a chance they could try and govern as a minority, but even then they'd probably still need an agreement to make sure anything they wanted to pass got across the line. 

LISTEN ABOVE   

Germany's far-right AfD is piling pressure on parties to work with them after a state election win.&nbsp;
Preliminary results show the party is three seats short of an outright majority in Saxony-Anhalt.&nbsp;
However most German political parties refuse to work with the AfD.&nbsp;
If it finds support, it would be the first far-right party to govern a German state since World War II.&nbsp;
Sky News European Correspondent Alastair Bunkall told Ryan Bridge there's a chance they could try and govern as a minority, but even then they'd probably still need an agreement to make sure anything they wanted to pass got across the line.&nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE &nbsp;&nbsp;

Alastair Bunkall: Sky News European Correspondent on Germany's far-right party AfD winning the state election in Saxony-Anhalt

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/52c02cc6-24a6-4fc2-b4d6-b4bf0011555e/transcript

The oil and gas industry is welcoming the first loans from the Government’s $200 million Gas Security Fund.

It's investing $23.5 million into two projects, including drilling a new well and accessing deeper gas at existing fields. 

Both with be run by Todd Energy, while there are 17 other proposals sitting on the Government's desk. 

Energy Resources Aotearoa CEO John Carnegie told Ryan Bridge the loans are being used for existing field and infrastructure, so they offer one of the quickest opportunities to get more domestic gas into the market sooner.  

He says if they're successful, both projects expect to have gas flowing by the end of 2027. 

Carnegie says this is a public-private partnership at its best. 

LISTEN ABOVE   

The oil and gas industry is welcoming the first loans from the Government’s $200 million Gas Security Fund.
It's investing $23.5 million into two projects, including drilling a new well and accessing deeper gas at existing fields.&nbsp;
Both with be run by Todd Energy, while there are 17 other proposals sitting on the Government's desk.&nbsp;
Energy Resources Aotearoa CEO John Carnegie told Ryan Bridge the loans are being used for existing field and infrastructure, so they offer one of the quickest opportunities to get more domestic gas into the market sooner. &nbsp;
He says if they're successful, both projects expect to have gas flowing by the end of 2027.&nbsp;
Carnegie says this is a public-private partnership at its best.&nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE &nbsp;&nbsp;

John Carnegie: Energy Resources Aotearoa CEO on the Government's first investments from the Gas Security Fund

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/73dbe492-2163-433a-b38a-b4bf000bb319/transcript

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast 2026, Todd Energy getting up to $23.5 million in government loans for gas security projects, Energy Resources Aotearoa CEO John Carnegie shares his thoughts. 

The Government’s splashing another $5 million on regional tourism, Rotorua Mayor Tania Tapsell tells Ryan what the money will go to in Rotorua.

Europe is shaking in it's boots after the far right party AFD's win in Saxony-Anhalt, Sky News Europe Correspondent Alastair Bunkall has the latest out of Germany.

Plus, Australia Correspondent Donna Demaio has the latest on a leaked text shows huge amount tipped for Solomon Islands from the Australian Government and American football fans descend on Melbourne for an historic NRL match at the MCG.

Get the Early Edition Full Show Podcast every weekday on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.          

LISTEN ABOVE

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast 2026, Todd Energy getting up to $23.5 million in government loans for gas security projects, Energy Resources Aotearoa CEO John Carnegie shares his thoughts.&nbsp;
The Government’s splashing another $5 million on regional tourism, Rotorua Mayor Tania Tapsell tells Ryan what the money will go to in Rotorua.
Europe is shaking in it's boots after the far right party AFD's win in Saxony-Anhalt, Sky News Europe Correspondent Alastair Bunkall has the latest out of Germany.
Plus, Australia Correspondent Donna Demaio has the latest on a leaked text shows huge amount tipped for Solomon Islands from the Australian Government and American football fans descend on Melbourne for an historic NRL match at the MCG.
Get the Early Edition Full Show Podcast every weekday on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts. &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE

Full Show Podcast: 08 September 2026 

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/613a11a3-1cc7-4aa7-b505-b4be012ac3d7/transcript

Richard Harrison: Auckland Transport Metro Optimisation Manager on minimising the bus driver shortage

In 1 playlist(s)

Early Edition with Ryan Bridge

Social links

Follow podcast

Recent clips