Cancellations reach new high

Wellington bus and train cancellations have hit a newhigh this month – even higher than during the ‘‘bustastrophe’’ of late 2018 – as Covid-19-related absences compound ongoing driver shortages. A total of 2653 trips were cancelled between May 1 and 22, amounting to 3.9% of the 67,272 journeys scheduled in the region. ‘‘They result from a combination of the ongoing shortage of drivers and the impact of Covid, which has caused sickness among drivers and resulted in absence and required isolation from the workforce,’’ said Metlink general manager Samantha Gain. Metlink had been working with its operators to ensure services continued where possible, she said, and providing timely communications about cancellations.