This pilot project by Keolis is an interesting experiment in labor relations and business operations, not only for the company itself but possibly also as a blueprint for the entire sector.
Keolis Nederland drivers will soon have the option to determine their own working hours. This change stems from a recent employee satisfaction survey and will start in January 2024 as a pilot project in Almere, where the company provides the allGo and R-net bus services. If the pilot is successful, Keolis has plans to further implement this approach throughout the organization.
'Roasting Together'
Chris Hogeveen, the CEO of Keolis Netherlands, sees this as a positive development for both the employees and the company itself. According to him, the initiative, called 'Together Scheduling', will not only reduce the workload for drivers and provide them with a healthier lifestyle, but it will also increase working comfort and overall satisfaction. “We think it is especially important that our employees enjoy their work. If this approach contributes positively to this, it will be beneficial for both our employees and our travelers,” says Hogeveen.
The necessary preparations have already been made prior to this pilot. The project started in September 2022 with a feasibility study. In addition, systems are currently being developed to enable self-scheduling and training is being offered to both drivers and staff planners. The pilot was developed in close collaboration with the employee participation bodies and will last until the end of 2024.
optimistic
Titia Slim, a driver at Keolis in Almere, is optimistic about the changes. For her and her colleagues, it means that they finally have more flexibility in their private lives. “This project turns the tables. Instead of adapting my private life to my work, I can now adapt my work to my private life,” she says. She sees this especially as an opportunity for colleagues with young children, for whom good childcare is not always easy to arrange, to better organize their lives at home.
Although the project had a long start-up period, Slim is pleased that it is now actually being implemented. “I am proud of my colleagues who had the courage to join this change,” she added.
Keolis
Keolis Netherlands provides public transport in Almere, Overijssel (Twente), Utrecht and on the Zwolle-Enschede, Zwolle-Kampen and Zutphen-Hengelo-Oldenzaal train routes. We do this with approximately 1.500 employees, 450 buses and 25 trains. Keolis Netherlands is a 100% subsidiary of the globally operating mobility company Keolis. Every year they transport almost 68.000 billion travelers in 3,5 countries with 15 employees.
