Add MBTA bus drivers to the growing list of driver shortages

"THE MBTA is paring back service on 31 bus routes and the Mattapan trolley because it doesn’t have enough workers to provide the scheduled service.

Starting December 19, T officials said some service will be added on a handful of routes, but overall service levels during the winter will be declining by about 3 percent to reflect a large dropoff in the number of drivers available. The transit authority on Monday put out a call on Twitter for more drivers, saying 300 positions need to be filled. "

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https://commonwealthmagazine.org/transportation/lacking-drivers-t-starts-paring-back-service/

Add MBTA bus drivers to the growing list of driver shortages

 

Logistics issues, not sustainable

"Like toy blocks hurled from the heavens, nearly 80,000 shipping containers are stacked in various configurations at the Port of Savannah — 50% more than usual.

The steel boxes are waiting for ships to carry them to their final destination or for trucks to haul them to warehouses that are themselves stuffed to the rafters. Some 700 containers have been left at the port, on the banks of the Savannah River, by their owners for a month or more.

“They’re not coming to get their freight,” complained Griff Lynch, executive director of the Georgia Ports Authority. “We’ve never had the yard as full as this.”

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https://www.bostonglobe.com/2021/10/10/nation/its-not-sustainable-what-americas-port-crisis-looks-like-up-close/?event=event12

The New York Times has the same story (Subscription maybe required) ->   https://www.nytimes.com/2021/10/11/business/supply-chain-crisis-savannah-port.html

Ship to shore cranes work the container ship CMA CGM Laperouse at the Georgia Ports Authority's Port of Savannah, Wednesday, Sept. 29, 2021, in Savannah, Ga.STEPHEN B. MORTON/ASSOCIATED PRESS

"a strong supply chain is vital for everyone"

The CDL or truck driver shortage reported previously as affecting the trash/recycling pickup and was also highlighted in the two open jobs that the DPW is looking to fill, is not just a US issue. This article shares the info on preparation for the Christmas season in Europe (UK and Iceland in particular). 

"The UK government must allow retailers to recruit HGV drivers from foreign countries to avoid a supply chain crisis that could ruin Christmas, a senior supermarket chain boss has warned. 

Richard Walker, Iceland’s managing director, said the UK faced a shortage of 100,000 HGV drivers that was already causing 30-40 deliveries to its stores to be cancelled daily, and would upend plans to begin building Christmas stock from next month. 

“We’ve got Christmas around the corner, and in retail we start to stock build really from September onwards, for what is a hugely important time of year,” he told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme on Wednesday."

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https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/aug/25/iceland-boss-hgv-drivers-shortage-cancel-christmas-immigration-rules-uk

 

The Franklin DPW is hiring 2 for Heavy Motor Equipment Operator positions