BUS services in Yorkshire and north-east England are at risk due to a shortage of hundreds of drivers, a public transport campaign group warned today.

The  campaign called on recently elected Metropolitan Mayor of West Yorkshire Tracy Brabin to fulfil an election pledge to take the county’s bus services back into public control.

It warned that bus companies across Yorkshire and the north-east were 800 drivers short at the start of August, with operators fighting to recruit and retain drivers.

The group said that some bus firms are offering short-term inducements of up to £2,000 to poach drivers from other operators.

As a result of the crisis, most of Yorkshire’s private bus companies are already discussing restructuring and rescheduling services, it said.

West Yorkshire’s bus network was shrinking even before the pandemic, with over 50 routes cut, the group warned.

But it said that rather than address the root causes of the issue, chronic low pay and poor working conditions for drivers, private operators choose to cut services to protect their profits, passing the costs onto communities and local businesses.

Better Buses for West Yorkshire campaigner Matthew Topham said: “Bringing buses into public control allows the mayor to protect services from cuts while also using public money more efficiently. 

“This crisis presents an opportunity for the region to show leadership in fast-tracking its plans for public control.”

Local bus user Chris Butler said: “Every time a bus is axed or reduced, it leaves devastation in its wake. 

“People are cut off from job opportunities, education, seeing family and friends, or even visiting the hospital.”

Ms Brabin’s office has been approached for comment.