TAIPEI (Taiwan News) – Transport operators hope to find 1,000 new bus drivers by the end of the year by offering higher wages, reports said Saturday (Oct. 12).

The sector is struggling with a shortage of between 2,000 and 3,000 drivers, according to the Highway Bureau. Local recruitment campaigns have found 531 newcomers for jobs so far, but a new campaign is set to expand its reach, per CNA.

With starting monthly salaries between NT$60,000 (US$1,860) and NT$80,000, companies expect to find 1,000 new drivers by the end of the year. Some employers are offering NT$100,000 per month.

The government also issued subsidies until February 2025 to help bus companies find staff, though the Highway Bureau said the period was likely to be extended. The maximum subsidy stood at NT$139,288 per person and included living expenses and a bonus for staying with the same employer.