Why Greek Capital is Struggling to Attract Bus Drivers

Athens’ public bus operator, Road Transport S.A. (OSY), has been forced to grant a second extension to the deadline for applications in its recruitment drive for 290 bus drivers, highlighting the persistent difficulty in attracting staff despite efforts to modernize the fleet.

The recruitment process began in November, with the original deadline set for December 12. OSY first extended it to December 19 and has now pushed it further to December 31, after limited interest from professional drivers.

The weak response has once again underscored that, despite the company’s promotional campaign and repeated assurances from the political leadership of the Ministry of Transport that the posts offer “an opportunity for professional rehabilitation,” experienced drivers continue to turn their backs on the capital’s bus operator.

According to information, around 330 applications have been submitted so far — a figure that may ultimately result in far fewer valid candidates than the 290 positions sought. Officials familiar with such recruitment processes note that some applicants are likely to be excluded during document checks or for failing to meet the required qualifications. This number also does not ensure the creation of a reserve pool of candidates to replace drivers who may resign or retire in the future.

A key deterrent remains the long-standing issue of the non-recognition of private-sector experience in salary terms. Drivers with 10 or even 15 years of experience in the private sector reportedly start at OSY on entry-level pay, despite government announcements of planned wage increases. As a result, the role is widely seen as unattractive within the profession.

The need for additional operating staff is pressing. OSY warns that if the outflow of drivers continues, there will not be enough personnel to run buses across the network. Even if all 290 positions are eventually filled, this would lead to only about a 30% boost in services on high-demand routes.

Driver shortages already have a major impact on daily operations. According to OSY’s activity report, more than 500,000 scheduled services were lost in 2024, mainly due to a lack of drivers. Out of 3,331,749 planned routes, only 2,826,981 were carried out, representing 84.8% of the intended service. In total, 504,769 routes were not operated, with 87.3% attributed to driver shortages and the remaining 12.7% to vehicle breakdowns, road closures, and work stoppages.

In practical terms, 440,457 routes were cancelled due to the lack of drivers — a 37.3% increase compared with 2023 and the highest level recorded in recent years.

Staffing remains an acute issue for urban transport, with the Ministry of Transport preparing a new call for interest early next year. The ministry has already announced pay increases for active drivers in an effort to curb resignations and attract new recruits. During 2025, OSY experienced periods of mass resignations among newly hired drivers, again linked to the failure to recognize private-sector experience in pay scales.

At the same time, OSY faces a broader workforce challenge linked to retirements and an aging staff profile. Official company data show that by the end of 2024, total staff numbered 4,527, down by 172 compared with 2023. The downward trend is not new: staffing stood at 4,774 in 2022, 4,921 in 2021, and exceeded 5,000 in 2017.

It is estimated that around 150 employees leave the company each year due to retirement, transfers to other agencies, or voluntary departures, making it difficult to stabilize personnel levels.

The age distribution further worsens the picture. Employees aged up to 35 account for just 1.5% of the workforce, numbering only 70 in 2024. More than half of OSY’s staff are over 50 years old, while about 42% fall within the 36 to 50 age group, pointing to an increasingly aging workforce as the company struggles to attract younger drivers.