Transport

Jujhar Singh parks his car at the Hessische Landesbahn depot, grabs his duty roster and heads straight for his bus. The driver’s cab is his workplace. “I’ve been driving buses for four years,” he says. Singh has been living in Germany since 2009.

Born in Punjab, India, and raised in New Delhi, Singh initially spent his working life in his home country. He graduated from school in the Indian capital and worked there as a taxi driver and truck driver. Later, he and a friend founded their own haulage firm. They were business partners for 15 years.

Then he decided to emigrate. “I wanted a better life,” he says. “I found it here.” When he arrived in Germany, he first workedathis brother’s restaurant, then spent around ten years in car detailing at various car dealerships and companies. “That went well,” he says. Until the coronavirus pandemic hit in 2020.

A new career start after the pandemic

The company where Singh was employed struggled economically during the pandemic. He was laid off. Through the employment office, Singh received several suggestions for professional reorientation including retraining as a bus driver. “That was my dream job,” he says. “But the driving licence is very expensive.”

The costs of around 10,000 to 12,000 euros would have been unaffordable for Singh without support. In Singh’s case, the employment office covered all the expenses: training, travel costs and necessary qualifications. A year later, he was driving his first route for Hessische Landesbahn.

Bus drivers are urgently sought in Germany

Singh’s job is now more in demand than ever: according to the Federal Association of German Bus Companies (BDO), there is a shortage of around 20,000 bus drivers in local public transport in Germany and the number is rising sharply. By 2030, this figure could exceed 60,000 if too few new drivers come on board. The shortage of personnel is already leading to service cancellations in many regions. For applicants from abroad, this means that the chances of getting a job have rarely been as good as they are now.

Daily life in the shift system

Singh works a dual-shift system. “The early shift starts at four in the morning, and the late shift can last until eleven at night. But I like it. You can plan your schedule well and get things done at different times of the day.”

Singh particularly enjoys interacting with people. “I’m on the road all day, constantly meeting new people.” Every now and then, he even receives small gifts from older passengers. “That happens sometimes when they’re happy that you recognise them,” he says with a laugh. Singh has also had only positive experiences in his private life. “I’ve never had an argument with anyone. Maybe I’ve just been lucky, but I’ve only met friendly people here and made lots of friends.”

Learn the language – even before you arrive

Singh has one piece of advice for anyone who wants to come to Germany from India: learn the language. You should already have at least a B1 level in India. “Otherwise, many things will be difficult: work, everyday life, making contacts.”In his opinion, a basic understanding of German culture also helps. “If you know how daily life works here, it’s easier to settle in.”

His tip for making friends in Germany is to join a club. “In Germany, there is a club for everything from hiking enthusiasts to football clubs,” says Singh. There are over 600,000 clubs with over 50 million members in Germany. They often look for new members through newspaper advertisements and notices at regional venues. Information about local clubs can also be found on the Internet.

Singh sees two basic options for starting a career in Germany: an apprenticeship – with lower but secure pay – or a direct permanent position with recognised qualifications. “Both are feasible if you’re well prepared, but without language skills and motivation, it’s not possible,” Singh is certain.

Translated from German by Faith Ann Gibson