A bump in pay for bus drivers has delighted First Union which hopes it's enough to get more workers behind the wheel around the country.
The Government announced on Sunday it's chipping in $61 million to increase drivers' wages, in a bid to make the industry more appealing.
City drivers will see their wages go up to $30 an hour, while regional drivers will get $28 per hour.
"Our government is committed to making it more affordable, easier and attractive for Kiwis to use public transport, so it's crucial we have the drivers in place to get the system moving," Transport Minister Michael Wood.
"Improving the conditions of drivers will make it easier to recruit and retain the workforce, allowing frequent and reliable bus services."
First Union spokesperson Louisa Jones told AM on Monday something needed to be done to attract more staff.
"I hope they apply for a job as a bus driver because we currently have 800 vacancies in the bus sector at the moment," Jones told AM co-host Ryan Bridge.
"So that means there are 800 services that aren't running and the bus drivers that are left doing the job are doing it under pressure because there's not enough staff."
Jones said she is "delighted" with the Government's announcement, which will see bus companies and local and central Government work together.
"So we have the regional councils chipping in their part, central government chipping in their part, which was announced yesterday and then also bus operators have to chip in their bit too, so that's the bus companies," she said.
"So there's a collaboration and then the union is involved because that then changes the employment agreements, so that's how it will all work."
School bus drivers will not receive a pay rise, but Jones said they haven't forgotten about them and will continue campaigning for them.
"So this is all funded by the Ministry of Transport and school buses are covered by the Ministry of Education. But I don't want school bus drivers to feel that they've missed out or that we've forgotten them," Jones said.
"We will be campaigning to get school bus drivers to be a part of this as well. In fact, First Union is really looking forward to working with the Tramways Union and initiating a fair pay agreement."
Watch the full interview with Louisa Jones above.
