KMB and Long Win join race for drivers

Drivers with a public bus driving license are being offered a HK$30,000 cash incentive to join Kowloon Motor Bus and Long Win Bus before February 29.

The companies yesterday unveiled a New Year welcome award scheme for those applying to be a bus captain.

Anyone who applies to be a part- or full-time captain for the first time within six months and starts to receive driving training no later than March 31 could also gain a bonus of up to HK$18,888.

To get the bonus, applicants must also pass probation and work for more than a year.

For those who hold a valid driving license for public buses, the prize can be as high as HK$30,000, but those who don't have a driving licence can also gain subsidies to take the driving license tests.

Both part- and full-time captains will enjoy "comprehensive" benefits, including year-end double pay, bonus for safe driving, free bus trips for employees and family members, paid on-the-job training, medical insurance and scholarships for their children.

"Arrangements can also be made for bus captains to work near where they live and to have relatively fixed working hours to ensure their work-life balance," the companies said. Full-time drivers can also have annual salary increment points and they can see an increase in their salaries every year if they pass evaluations.

KMB has also come up with a comprehensive training mechanism for captains to raise awareness of safe driving and environmental protection, as well as introduce technology into driving, it added.

"KMB and LWB welcome talents from all sectors to join the bus captain team," the companies said.

Their move came after Citybus launched a reward scheme in September.

Under the Citybus plan, anyone who applies to be a full-time driver before February 29 and completes interview and recruitment procedures will be eligible for a "new joiner's bonus" of HK$18,000, which means they can enjoy monthly pay of up to HK$30,000.

Applicants with full driving licenses for public buses could also gain an additional bonus of HK$10,000.

Those applying to be part-timers can also get the same hourly wage as full-timers and a bonus of up to HK$6,000.

Citybus also launched a referral bonus scheme at the same time and full-time staff can get HK$5,000 for each successful new bus captain recommendation.