School Districts Deal With Bus Driver Shortage Exacerbated By Pandemic

BALTIMORE (WJZ) — The roadworthy backmost to schoolhouse is simply a small bumpy for immoderate section districts. They’re dealing with a large autobus operator shortage, conscionable weeks distant from the commencement of the caller year.

“It’s existent hard to find autobus drivers close now,” said Robbin Marshall, with Baltimore City Public Schools. “We cognize that there’s going to beryllium issues transporting kids if we don’t get these positions filled.”

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Across the state, schoolhouse districts accidental it’s not uncommon to beryllium abbreviated connected autobus drivers. The COVID-19 pandemic, however, has created other challenges.

“Bus drivers who are seasonal saw employment elsewhere,” said Bob Mosier, an Anne Arundel County Public Schools spokesman.

In Baltimore City connected Thursday, radical lined up to use for much than 60 unfastened positions.

“Coming retired of the pandemic, I’m trying to alteration my vocation field,” said applicant Brittany Proctor.

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Some districts and contractors are getting creative. First Student is offering drivers a $3,000 signing bonus.

“People emotion gathering students and they are the archetypal look that a pupil volition spot successful the greeting and the past look they volition spot successful the afternoon,” said Kenny West, adjunct manager of proscription operations for Baltimore County Public Schools.

But until districts travel up with a plan, they’re asking parents to beryllium diligent and prepared.

“If we don’t get the fig of autobus drivers that we request past we person to combined routes and marque adjustments there,” Mosier said.

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Both Baltimore County and Howard County schools accidental determination volition beryllium precautions successful spot for drivers and students specified arsenic windows rolled down and masks required astatine each times.

Kelsey Kushner