Spanish bus companies are hiring Peruvian drivers to solve a critical shortage threatening public transport.

This international recruitment drive has become essential as passenger numbers surge while domestic driver numbers collapse.

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Consequently, companies like Monbus now employ over 100 Peruvian drivers in Catalonia and Galicia alone.

Edsel Benson Cárdenas, a 53-year-old from Arequipa, exemplifies this trend. He left his family in Peru to drive buses in Catalonia, seeking better opportunities. “My salary here is almost three times what I earned in Peru,” he explains, highlighting the economic incentive. Furthermore, his story is not unique; dozens of experienced Peruvian drivers are now navigating Spanish roads.

Spanish Bus Companies Face Unprecedented Demand

The driver crisis stems from booming demand. According to the Catalan Federation of Passenger Transport (FECAV), interurban bus passenger numbers have nearly tripled since 2001, reaching a record 92 million in 2023. However, companies face a perfect storm: no generational replacement for retiring drivers and a cultural shift away from obtaining the necessary licences.

“We simply don’t know where to get drivers from,” a Monbus spokesperson told El País. Therefore, they turned to Peru in 2022, following the lead of haulage firms. The recruitment process is now formalised, with HR teams conducting interviews and driving tests in Peru before handling visa applications and licence homologation.

Meanwhile, the Spanish government’s response has been criticised as insufficient. Its ‘Plan Reconduce’ offers up to €3,000 for new licence applicants, but with a total budget of €500,000, it would only help about 200 people. Industry bodies estimate over 5,000 bus driver vacancies nationwide.

Cristian Luis Tixe, another Peruvian driver in Galicia, moved to give his family a future. “The decision to come to Spain was for my children,” he states. He has since brought his youngest son to study engineering in Vigo. This pattern of family reunification is a common goal, with companies often providing initial accommodation to facilitate the transition.

The influx of these skilled drivers is crucial for maintaining services, especially on long-distance routes which are harder to staff but offer higher pay. Additionally, their arrival helps offset domestic shortages that could otherwise lead to grounded vehicles. This international solution ensures that key transport hubs and expanding infrastructure have the personnel needed to operate.

For the drivers themselves, the move represents a profound life change. They trade familiarity for financial security and the promise of a better life for their families. As Cárdenas concludes, his wish is to reunite his family in Spain, where he sees “security and a future” for his children. The strategy of these Spanish bus companies, therefore, addresses an urgent operational need while transforming lives across continents.

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