National news reports a shortage of school bus drivers. Another fallout of COVID-19? The lockdown put an increasing demand on delivery services, Amazon, UPS and FedEx, and now schools are scrambling to find drivers. You don’t have to drive far to see a Bus Driver Wanted sign.

Mid-Columbia Bus Company, serving Northeastern Oregon schools, is offering bonuses to applicants. Besides a high turnover, they have a problem finding enough drivers that pass the drug test requirements. The problem has increased with the legalization of marijuana and COVID-19 has added to the difficulty.

Jefferson County is twenty percent short of having enough business drivers to start school. They cite a problem of pay. The district can’t match what Amazon pays drivers.

Prior to the pandemic, Portland metro has repeatedly had problems with scheduling and delays, so much so that parents have questioned the safety of their children. Parents that call about delays get connected with First Student headquarters in Cincinnati, Ohio, leaving parents uncertain. Corvallis, Medford, Phoenix-Talent and Central Point school districts as well as districts in Josephine County also contract with First Student and are struggling finding enough drivers even with signing bonuses. Other districts are redrawing bus routes, asking parents to help and hiring charter bus services.

Parent are saying that when buses are delayed their children miss out on breakfast. They don’t know how long the delay will be to feed them, then they get to school to late for what the school serves. A survey by the National Association for Pupil Transportation in both 2016 and 2017 the number one concern of parents was the shortage of school bus drivers.

Transportation directors cite another issue. The strengthening economy makes part-time jobs less attractive, and the job isn't for everyone. It’s odd hours and requires some training.

On top of stress placed on drivers due to shortages, returning drivers are questioning the inclusion of a critical race theory type training required for the training on in-service day. The agenda says, they will find out if they “unconsciously are treating others differently.”

One thing for sure, most districts will be eliminating and consolidating routes. But shortages won’t delay starting school.


--Donna Bleiler

Post Date: 2021-08-20 08:43:29

Last Update: 2021-08-19 21:02:00