Israel Proposes Plan to Recruit Thousands of Bus Drivers to Save Public Transport

Israel's public transportation system is facing a severe crisis due to a critical shortage of bus drivers, leading to frequent service disruptions, canceled routes, and unreliable schedules. The country is currently short at least 5,000 public bus drivers, with 60% of active drivers having less than ten years of experience, indicating high turnover rates and a collapsing industry. Poor working conditions, including long shifts of up to 230 hours per month, heavy traffic, and tight schedules, are identified as primary barriers to recruitment and retention. The situation is exacerbated by a growing level of violence against drivers, including verbal abuse, threats, and physical assaults.

In response, Idan Mualem, Director of the National Public Transport Authority, has unveiled a comprehensive national strategic plan aimed at revitalizing the sector. Developed over months of collaboration with driver unions and labor organizations, the proposal seeks to fundamentally restructure employment conditions to make the profession more attractive. The plan, submitted for approval to Transportation Minister Miri Regev and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, includes a proposed industry-wide minimum wage of 55.18 shekels per hour for new drivers, a 6 shekel per hour retention bonus, and a 1% annual seniority raise after five years.

Further incentives include a technological excellence and safety reward system, potentially increasing monthly salaries by up to 10% for safe driving and punctuality. To address driver safety, the plan mandates the installation of protective partitions in all buses, real-time distress buttons connected to control centers, and cameras. It also proposes legislative changes to classify drivers as public servants, increasing penalties for attackers. For driver welfare, the plan includes improved rest facilities and a reduction of 5-10 monthly hours for drivers over 50 without pay cuts.

The strategy also focuses on recruiting from the ultra-Orthodox community and discharged soldiers, establishing dedicated recruitment and guidance centers and offering flexible employment options. Discharged soldiers, particularly from technological and combat support units, would be eligible for accelerated training programs with projected monthly earnings of 15,000 to 17,000 shekels.

Implementing this plan is estimated to cost approximately one billion shekels by 2027. The authority argues this is a worthwhile investment, projecting annual economic benefits exceeding two billion shekels through reduced traffic congestion, fewer accidents, and lower retraining costs. However, the plan faces significant political and budgetary hurdles, especially during a period of government budget cuts, and concerns remain about its long-term implementation amidst potential government changes.