Students at Oxford University could be taking part-time jobs on the buses to solve a staffing crisis.

A shortage of drivers has led Stagecoach to target undergraduates in a new recruitment drive.

The shortage has meant the number of buses on some routes being cut.

David Whitely, executive assistant at Stagecoach (Oxford), said: "There is a shortage of bus drivers nationally and unemployment in Oxford is so low that it is very difficult to get people to drive.

"We are looking for students on a part-time basis and are willing to train them up during their holidays. Rather than working in a pub, they could drive a bus."

Applicants must be over 18 and have a clean licence. Each would get a two-week training course to earn a public service vehicle licence. Pay starts at £6 an hour.

Stagecoach has had to cut the service on some of its busiest routes. The Oxford Mail revealed last week how several buses failed to turn up after more drivers than expected called in sick following England's win against Columbia.

Mr Whitely added: "We are particularly stretched at this time of year due to holidays and it would be good to have a large number of part-time drivers. If we do not have our full complement the service does suffer but we try to spread things around." Stagecoach also hopes to attract women over 50 in the recruitment drive, which has included an advertising campaign in unemployment-hit Wales.

Meanwhile, the Oxford Bus Company said it did not have a driver shortage but did have a high turnover of staff.

The situation has led to commercial director Phillip Kirk, operations manager Christopher Lee and head of marketing John Radley all donning driver's uniforms to help out.

Mr Radley said: "The local economy is buoyant and we find we have a high turnover of staff. But we do everything possible to make sure we run our advertised service.

"We have plenty of people in the company who have PSV licences and go out and drive. I drove to Gatwick recently and I have also driven the park and ride service. It can make a nice change from being in the office.

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