Bus drivers fired over alleged fare thefts

Nine Wellington bus drivers have been sacked for allegedly stealing thousands of dollars in fares, but they won't face charges if they repay the money, bus company Go Wellington says.

The drivers were fired over the past three months for stealing at least $20,000 between May and June, the Dominion Post reported.

More than $500,000 had gone missing over three years, until the Snapper debit card system became fully operational this year -- exposing the discrepancies between the amount drivers received in fares and the amount they returned to the depot after their shifts.

Go Wellington general manager Bruce Kenyon confirmed nine drivers had been fired for "irregularities found in reconciling revenue off their buses" but would not elaborate further.

The company would not say why criminal charges were not laid.

Wellington Tramways Union secretary Kevin O'Sullivan was disappointed some drivers had stolen from the company but said Go Wellington should have acted sooner when it realised money was missing.

"The company has allowed this situation and the temptation that went along with it to last for three years.

"In all that time the company has ignored it and they have some responsibility to have proper systems and processes in place to stop that sort of thing happening."

In 1999, three drivers were convicted of taking about $110,000 from Stagecoach over four years.

- NZPA