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

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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.