TOTALLY GEEKED!

Lawyerlady · On the bright side...... Christmas is coming! (Mod)

School bus companies in the United States are spinning their wheels in an effort to get more drivers hired before the start of the school year.

Every company that responded to a School Bus Fleet magazine survey of the top 50 school bus contractors Opens a New Window.said they had a shortage of some kind. Most (54%) faced a “moderate” shortage, while 22% said theirs was “severe.” Nineteen percent said they have a “mild” shortage and 5% said their company was “desperate.”

The lack of drivers is leading to an increase in advertising dollars spent on billboards, fliers and social media, as well as implementing incentives such as signing and referral bonuses. Companies are also striving to improve corporate culture and creating a retention program, the survey found. Data from respondents showed the average starting pay for drivers rose 66 cents from last year.

In order to become a school bus driver in Pennsylvania Opens a New Window., for example, one must complete a minimum of 20 hours of school bus-specific instruction—14 hours in the classroom and six hours in-bus. The driver almost must pass a road test and pass criminal and child abuse history checks, among other paperwork and exams, USA Today reported.

Earlier this month, the state of Hawaii suspended and consolidated school bus routes on Maui due to a shortage of qualified drivers.

“We have explored all options and have been unable to assist in securing licensed drivers for these critical routes,” Assistant Superintendent Dann Carlson said in a statement Opens a New Window., adding that the routes would be restored when the required number of drivers is met.

Carlson said the Department of Education spoke with the mayor of Maui about the possibility of using the county bus system, however it was determined that it could not handle the increased number of riders.

“We spoke and brainstormed with Mayor [Alan] Arakawa on solutions in hopes of finding a solution to prevent this situation, however, there are too many legal obligations for outside parties to engage. It’s disappointing, but this is the reality,” Carlson said.

Lawyerlady · On the bright side...... Christmas is coming! (Mod)

Well, who wants to drive a school bus? Kids are allowed to be nasty little snots and the bus drivers just have to take it, and if they try to discipline the kids or control the bus, they just get in trouble.

Take the power away from the adults and allow the special little snowflakes to run roughshod, all while paying crap, and you'll get a shortage.

Teachers are next.

Lindley · Guru

I agree!

Lady Gaga Snerd · Guru

They only get paid for a few hours. And, they have to drive early in the morning then some hours off and then work in the afternoon. And, as you pointed out, kids can act like snots and nothing is done.

Lindley · Guru

Do they have another adult riding with the children or is it just the bus driver?

I know what to do_sometimes · Frozen Sucks!

Lady Gaga Snerd wrote:
They only get paid for a few hours. And, they have to drive early in the morning then some hours off and then work in the afternoon. And, as you pointed out, kids can act like snots and nothing is done.

I've known a few mothers who drove school buses. They can bring their kids on the bus and so no daycare expense and they got to be home with the kids.

lilyofcourse · My spirit animal is a pink flamingo.

Mom drove for 10 years. She also worked in the cafeteria between morning and afternoon routes.

It was horrible having to get up so early and get on a cold bus. Lots of mornings, I was on the bus for a good hour before school, afternoon was 2 hours.

Momala · Great cook-happy wife-superb fisherman

My tenant's daughters get picked up at 6:30 a.m.
for an 8:30 a.m. start at school. Some kids nap,
others read their text books, and others horse
around with their buddies, because they are bored
stiff! We see advertisements all over the place for
drivers and attendants. Plus all our school buses
come equipped with video cameras. If the driver
reports little Johnny for pulling Suzique's hair, he
has the video to back it up. 3 incidents like this,
and WHAM! he's barred from the bus, and Mom
or Dad have to drive him. And he better not be
late!

I know what to do_sometimes · Frozen Sucks!

Strange how different parts of the country are. Boston spends a ton of money busing kids. Someone came up with a plan that cut almost in half the number of buses needed by redoing the routes. The Teamsters were all up in arms over it saying it would mean significant layoffs. So I guess, at least in Boston, there must be no shortage.

FNW · Guru

I love the idea of cameras in the buses! My boys complain of others cussing at them and picking on them, and the bus driver doesn't do anything. (They did report the boys to the school counselor who promised to put an end to it).

When they start middle school we'll probably take them ourselves. The school is across town and they would end up on the bus for 1 1/2 hours when they could be sleeping in and enjoying breakfast. Nope. That's ridiculous. It's on the way to DH's work, so he'll take them.

TOTALLY GEEKED!

Back to school crisis: Lack of school bus drivers plagues the nation