I was caught short this week while shopping in town. I assumed the large national chain retail shop would have a customers' toilet. They didn't but the shop assistant directed me to the nearest toilet. In Central Mall. It must have been the look of dismay on my face, or hearing me mutter "I don't think I'm going to make it" that prompted the shop assistant, a woman of my own age, to tell me to follow her. It may be an age thing but now when I have to go, I have to go. No messing around. I sense the shop assistant had some knowledge of this. I am grateful that I could use the staff toilet.
So I spared more than a passing thought for Auckland City bus drivers this week who took industrial action. Bus drivers claim their employer, NZ Bus, has been increasing working hours without providing toilet breaks. They're also negotiating a pay rise. NZ Bus has offered a 1.7 per cent real wage increase but it appears this has been rejected. But a toilet break is a serious matter. Coach and tour drivers who drive from city to city have a toilet on their bus, so when nature calls they don't have a problem. But what do you do when you're driving a city bus and need to go to the toilet. Apparently drivers have to wait until they get back to the depot. With Auckland's traffic problems and frequent congestion that could be up to a couple of hours.
NZ Bus bosses don't have that problem. They just walk down the passage, or up or down a flight of stairs. It is taken for granted that somehow the bus drivers will manage. They shouldn't have to. They should have been kicking up a stink long ago. Has anyone done any research on the long term health effects on bus drivers who frequently have a full bladder because they have to "hold on"? There was little sympathy on talk back radio for the drivers. Some callers jokingly suggested nappies could be worn or for drivers to try not to focus on the problem. I don't think it's a laughing matter, and even that could have upsetting consequences.
The drivers themselves should come up with the solution to toilet breaks. Don't leave it to those who sit in the office and don't understand the seriousness of the driver's request for relief in this matter.
Bus and coach drivers are no different to pilots in my book. Both carry heavy responsibilities. One is on the ground steering his bus through the hurley burley of city traffic and long distance touring while the other is up in the air, using instruments and experience, to keep the aircraft on course. Both are responsible for the lives of their passengers and anything that can be done to make their job less stressful should be a priority. Most weeks I spend a couple of hours in the company of coach drivers, local and visiting. The visiting drivers mostly have international visitors on their buses. They are a pleasant bunch and many have known each other for years. Some of their stories are hilarious. They know the hotels they enjoy staying at. These are the ones that give them a good room with a decent bed to sleep in. How silly of me to think this would be standard. It is not. The drivers say the room doesn't have to be large, but a room the size of a broom cupboard doesn't cut it. Often windows don't open to let fresh air into the room and rooms can be roasting. Requests to be moved to a more comfortable room are met with the response "that's the designated driver's room". Would the hotel manager sleep in it? If not, then neither should coach drivers be expected to. Would the same room be offered to a pilot I wonder. Drivers need a good night's sleep. They have to be on their game as soon as they set off for the day with a coach full of passengers.
