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

Even if you're not into football, it's hard not to be excited about a local franchise winning the A-League final. You have to be a real Grinch not to get a smile on your face. Congratulations to all the players, Steve Corica, Nick Becker and the well-heeled who backed them. These guys have momentum. They've created a winning buzz.

There are two things that leapt to mind as the AFC party bus snaked its way through Queen Street yesterday:

1. This is part of a wider story about the rise of football, which now boasts more kiwi players than rugby union. A big part of that is to do with Auckland. Rugby has an Auckland problem which football and league are exploiting. Unlike the Blues, the Warriors and Auckland FC regularly fill stadiums. It's not come out of nowhere. In 2014, a council survey found rugby was 20th on the list of sports played by Aucklanders. In 2016, of the 150,000 registered union players in NZ, just 40,000 came from this region. That was less than 3% of Aucklanders. Rugby is stronger in the provinces. But if getting young players on the field is the aim of the game, then Auckland is king. Same story in politics. You can't win the election if you lose Auckland, as the last lot found out back in 2023.

2. Fans don't really care if the players, coaches, and even owners (in Bill Foley), are Aucklanders, let alone Kiwis. They just care that it's A) football, and B) they're winning. In that order. Another lesson, perhaps, for other codes with sticky rules and criteria?

In the end, it doesn't really matter which sport kids are playing, so long as they're playing something. A kid in sport is kid out of court.

LISTEN ABOVE

Even if you're not into football, it's hard not to be excited about a local franchise winning the A-League final. You have to be a real Grinch not to get a smile on your face. Congratulations to all the players, Steve Corica, Nick Becker and the well-heeled who backed them. These guys have momentum. They've created a winning buzz.
There are two things that leapt to mind as the AFC party bus snaked its way through Queen Street yesterday:
1. This is part of a wider story about the rise of football, which now boasts more kiwi players than rugby union. A big part of that is to do with Auckland.&nbsp;Rugby has an Auckland problem which football and league are exploiting. Unlike the Blues, the Warriors and Auckland FC regularly fill stadiums. It's not come out of nowhere. In 2014, a council survey found rugby was 20th on the list of sports played by Aucklanders. In 2016, of the 150,000 registered union players in NZ, just 40,000 came from this region. That was less than 3% of Aucklanders. Rugby is stronger in the provinces. But if getting young players on the field is the aim of the game, then Auckland is king. Same story in politics. You can't win the election if you lose Auckland, as the last lot found out back in 2023.
2. Fans don't really care if the players, coaches, and even owners (in Bill Foley), are Aucklanders, let alone Kiwis. They just care that it's A) football, and B) they're winning. In that order. Another lesson, perhaps, for other codes with sticky rules and criteria?
In the end, it doesn't really matter which sport kids are playing, so long as they're playing something. A kid in sport is kid out of court.
LISTEN ABOVE

Ryan Bridge: 'A kid in sport is kid out of court'

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/16f9af0d-ae00-4a66-bc20-b454013cc684/transcript

Listen to the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast for Monday 25 May.

Get the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast every weekday morning on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.

Listen to the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast for Monday 25 May. 
Get the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast every weekday morning on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.

Full Show Podcast: 25 May 2026 

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/4520b1ca-4013-4b2e-82a7-b454012ac645/transcript

Auckland FC are heading for their first A-League grand final at a sold-out stadium. 

It’s both the first time a grand final has been played in New Zealand, and the first time a Kiwi team has made it this far in the competition.  

Auckland FC Fan Group’s Tim Adams told Ryan Bridge that the game is going to be insane. 

“The ability to comprehend being in a final and being in a home final after having a club for only two years, it’s actually just crazy.” 

He says the hardcore fans are going to make sure it’s an event that won’t be forgotten. 

LISTEN ABOVE 

Auckland FC are heading for their first A-League grand final at a sold-out stadium.&nbsp;
It’s both the first time a grand final has been played in New Zealand, and the first time a Kiwi team has made it this far in the competition. &nbsp;
Auckland FC Fan Group’s Tim Adams told Ryan Bridge that the game is going to be insane.&nbsp;
“The ability to comprehend being in a final and being in a home final after having a club for only two years, it’s actually just crazy.”&nbsp;
He says the hardcore fans are going to make sure it’s an event that won’t be forgotten.&nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE&nbsp;

Tim Adams: Auckland FC Fan Group Representative previews the A-League Grand Final clash

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/586256b8-e188-444b-858b-b4520002b5be/transcript

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

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