If your facilities are in an industrial zone, a tourist destination or far from public transport, the problem is often not that there are no workers, but that they cannot get there every day. An organised bus route expands the area you hire from, from a few kilometres to the whole wider region.
Why distance costs you hires
- Many candidates, especially young people and shift workers, do not have a car.
- Urban and intercity lines often do not serve industrial zones or night shifts.
- Fuel and toll costs eat up a significant part of a low or average salary.
- Employees who struggle to get to work leave more easily at the first opportunity.
What the business gains
| Benefit | How it comes about |
|---|---|
| Larger candidate pool | You hire from areas 30–60 minutes away |
| Lower staff turnover | Commuting stops being a daily obstacle |
| Shift consistency | Everyone arrives together, on time |
| Fewer parking spaces needed | One bus replaces dozens of cars |
| Advantage in job ads | “Free transport to and from work” is an attractive benefit |
Own bus or chartered with driver?
A business can transport its staff with its own vehicle or assign the transport to a licensed operator with public-use tourist coaches.
Assigning it to an operator means the operator is responsible for the passenger road transport operator licence (P.D. 346/2001), for vehicles with a valid registration licence (Law 711/1977 on special tourist coaches), roadworthiness testing (KTEO), tachograph, insurance and drivers holding the required licence and Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC). The business avoids the cost of buying and maintaining vehicles and managing drivers.
How a staff route is designed
- Mapping: collect the addresses of current and potential employees by area.
- Pick-up points: set a few safe stops (squares, public transport stations) instead of door-to-door pick-up.
- Shift timetables: schedule arrival 10–15 minutes before the start and departure after the end of each shift.
- Vehicle size: choose a minibus or coach depending on passengers per route.
- Trial period: start with 1–3 months and adjust stops and times based on usage.
Safety and liability on the road
The operator must have compulsory motor third-party liability insurance, which also covers passengers. Ask for a copy of the policy and check the cover amounts. In addition, an accident on the way to or from work may also be examined as a work accident, so choosing a safe operator directly concerns the employer too.
Tax treatment
The cost of chartering a bus to transport staff is generally a deductible business expense, provided it is supported by a legal electronic invoice (Law 4172/2013, article 22). Whether free transport counts as a taxable benefit in kind for the employee depends on how it is provided; confirm this with your accountant.
Travel agency tip
Before committing to a long-term contract, ask the operator for a trial route, and mention in your job ads that transport is provided. Often that mention alone noticeably increases applications.
Frequently asked questions
Can a small business have a staff route? Yes, even with a 15–20 seat minibus or a shared route for neighbouring businesses.
Who is responsible for licences and KTEO tests? The licensed operator, when the transport has been assigned to it.
Sources: Law 711/1977 – Special tourist coaches (Region of Crete) · National Register of Administrative Procedures – Tourist Road Transport Businesses · Region of Crete – Tourist coach licence
Validity: This article reflects the legislation in force at the date of writing (01/10/2026), according to the available sources. For licensing a specific transport service, the terms of the competent Transport Directorate apply.
Photo: Agnieszka Bladzik / StockSnap.io, CC0 – free to use (source)