Summary:
- The school bus driver shortage remains a continual challenge for districts, even as companies implement various strategies to attract and retain drivers.
- Schultz Transportation, the company employing many school bus drivers, is offering bonuses, increased pay rates, and driver training to address the shortage.
- Flexible scheduling and the appeal of part-time work attract potential new drivers like Madeline Candelario, who appreciates the job's compatibility with her family life.
- Last year saw even office employees at Schultz Transportation taking on driving duties, highlighting the extent of the shortage's impact.
- Despite challenges, Schultz Transportation is dedicated to providing efficient and timely transportation services to students.
Deb Yost, known as Miss Deb to the students she takes to and from school, is entering her ninth year as a bus driver. Despite her experience, the shortage of school bus drivers remains an ongoing challenge in numerous districts.
Last year marked a particularly challenging period in terms of the shortage of bus drivers, with a notable decrease in the number of co-workers available to handle the responsibilities. Unfortunately, this problem persists, leaving administrators and employees puzzled as to its cause. Matt Albaugh, the vice president of Schultz Transportation, the company employing Deb Yost, expressed his inability to provide a definitive answer to the perplexing question of why this shortage continues. Schultz Transportation is actively taking measures to address this issue, including offering bonuses to new drivers and those who refer potential candidates. The company also invests in driver training and has increased pay rates, raising the hourly wage to $19 and even up to $23 for additional hours.
While challenges persist, the school bus company is dedicated to finding solutions and making the most of the resources at hand. Despite potential disruptions such as the possibility of students having to share seats, the commitment to delivering students safely and on time remains a top priority for Schultz Transportation.