Bus Drivers' Collective Agreement 2026: Further increase in real wages and better working conditions
Two-year agreement brings sustainable relief for 12,000 employees in private bus transport.
The approximately 12,000 employees in private bus companies can again expect a strong increase in real wages at the beginning of 2026. Following the two-year agreement between the vida trade union and the Austrian Federal Economic Chamber (WKÖ), which was already agreed in the spring, the collective agreement for bus drivers will now be valorised as planned - above the inflation rate.
Thanks to rolling inflation and agreed real wage growth, collective bargaining wages will increase by 3.3 percent from January 1, 2026. The basis for this was rolling inflation of over 3.2 percent.
"At the turn of the year, the collective bargaining wages of bus drivers will thus be increased by 3.3 percent. This means that there will be a further real wage increase of 0.1 percent for 2026."Vorsitzender vida-Fachbereich Straße
Two-year agreement secures income and brings real improvements
The collective bargaining pact concluded this year not only covers incomes, but also strengthens working conditions in the long term. As early as 2025, bus drivers would receive a real wage increase of 3.6 percent. From 2026 onwards, the structural improvements will take effect, which will noticeably facilitate the often challenging everyday working life.
These include, among others:
- Higher salaries, especially in regular bus transport. In occasional traffic, the increase amounts to a total of 14 percent over two years.
- Expansion of night work bonuses: As early as 2025, the surcharge from 11 p.m. to 12 a.m. was raised to 50 percent. From 1 January 2026, this increase will also apply to the time from 10 p.m. to 11 p.m.
- Better planning and relief for shared shifts to allow more free time and recovery time.
Until now, the 100 percent night surcharge was only available for working hours between midnight and 5 a.m. For other night hours, there were no surcharges at all – a situation that vida has successfully ended with the staggered expansion of surcharges.
Stronger framework conditions against staff shortages in bus transport
Public transport is facing a massive demand for personnel – and fair, predictable working conditions are crucial for this. The current KV improvements therefore also send a clear signal to potential newcomers to the industry.
"The improvements for employees in the bus industry are essential to counteract the shortage of staff and to attract additional staff for the expansion of public transport," Petritsch emphasizes.
Real wage increase and structural relief strengthen the industry
With the real wage increase of 3.3 percent and noticeable improvements in everyday service, the two-year agreement lives up to its claim: to secure income, reduce burdens and increase the attractiveness of the profession. For the employees, this means more appreciation – and for public transport an important piece of future security.
