“With growth in production has come an increase in the volume of people travelling to and from work seven days a week, morning and night,” Oceania general manager Richard Hickson said.
“The buses help ensure we minimise health and safety risks, attract the best people and make it as easy as possible for people to do a great job.
“They also reduce our carbon footprint by cutting the number of vehicles on the road each day.
“I’ve been on the bus home myself and it’s great to relax and let someone else do the driving.”
As a significant employer the firm has invested heavily in South Canterbury with plans to build another ultra-high temperature (UHT) milk processing line, a canning and blending line and new laboratory.
“This will bring the total number of employees to around 400 by year’s end.
“Oceania and the dairy industry in general are strengthening the local economy,” Hickson said.
“Dairy has been the lifeblood of the area.
“The small towns and many support services in the region are doing very well now because of the flow-on effect that dairy has had.
“The bus service is another great example and Yili remains keen to do whatever it can to continue that trend.”
The buses from Timaru and Oamaru have been well received by staff and are proving to be a key factor with job-seekers.
Trial runs started last month have run without a hitch.
The buses are owned and operated by Oceania’s milk tanker provider Hilton Haulage.
More than 70 people have started using the service that runs to and from both towns to coincide with Oceania’s 6am and 6pm shifts.
It’s expected about 70% of production staff will eventually use the buses on a regular basis.
UHT process controller Pawandeep Kaur catches the bus from Timaru.
After two years with the company she says one of the perks is now getting to have a rest immediately after a long shift.
“It would take me around 45 minutes driving by myself to work, which was tough.
“Now it’s really nice to be able to relax on the bus and not worry about driving in the dark,” Kaur said.
Dispensary process controller Moana Waldron is one of Oceania’s original employees who now uses the bus regularly.
“It’s been amazing to have transportation to and from work.
“Not only am I saving petrol money but there’s less wear and tear on my car.
“With this extra money we might have enough for a family trip overseas next year,” Waldron said.
UHT process controller Kevin McCloy said he would usually spend about $90 to run his car to and from work for two days.
“Using the bus is just like getting a pay rise,” he said.
