Mountain Scene
February 16, 2021
By MATTHEW MCKEW
Limited opportunities for tour bus drivers could prove just the ticket for Orbus contractor Ritchies.
Although fully staffed right now, there’s been a history of driver shortages for the $2 flat-fare public service across the Whakatipu basin.
In 2019, Ritchies, which runs the service on behalf of Otago Regional Council (ORC), found ‘‘significant challenges’’ in recruiting when trying to add a direct Lakes Hayes Estate service to the Queenstown route.
Ritchies Otago transport manager Cesar Costa says there are currently about 15 drivers on sponsored work visas, and the firm’s benefited from the government extending all employer-assisted visas expiring between January and June for another six months.