Anyone who has ever taken an economics class in high school or college knows one aspect of this problem; in the textbooks it’s called “cost-push inflation.”
With a focus on measuring and making improvements on the fly, the Richmond, Va.-based operation has built one of the most reliable and well-run operations in the industry.
While 82% report that business is up or at least flat, the opportunities for further success for many continue to depend on the ability to identify and retain drivers, as well as control costs.
That partnership will help the operation recruit from multiple candidate pools for positions.
As the industry continues to struggle to identify and keep qualified drivers onboard, retaining the drivers that are already at an operation could often be an overlooked remedy.
President Steve Woelfel received the award during Monday’s Operator Breakfast at ABA Marketplace in Louisville, Kentucky.
Hiring and retaining drivers is the greatest challenge facing motorcoach operators, according to 70% of respondents of METRO Magazine's 2019 Motorcoach Survey. The public transit industry is not immune to this issue either.
The deadly crash occurred when a pick-up truck driver crossed a double, solid-yellow centerline, entered the southbound lane, and collided with a bus carrying 13 passengers.
While finding drivers continues to be a challenge, motorcoach operators are focused on establishing a work-friendly environment and programs to identify new employees. Meanwhile, both short- and long-term growth are being managed conservatively.
During an informal ceremony, Mark Sullivan was surrounded by colleagues who took turns sharing memories from the past four decades.