Transportation directors nationwide share their input on what’s contribut- ing to the ongoing driver shortage and how to best promote the job


Written by Taylor Ekbatani | taylor@stnonline.com S


ince I’ve been reporting for School Transpor- tation News, and more so since the COVID-19 pandemic, the school bus driver shortage con- versation hasn’t let up.


Is the answer more pay? That seemed to be the case


prior to the pandemic. However, times are changing and people in general are valuing culture, safety and time above all other indicators. In fact, a survey conducted by STN this year showed that the main reason for a lack of drivers is student behavior issues, which has too become more severe since the onset of the pandemic and stu- dents were forced to stay home for remote learning. The industry has traditionally battled with school bus


driver shortages, and it’s doubtful the challenge will ever be solved, especially with the growing popularity of driving jobs at Uber, Lyft and Amazon. So, the question remains: What does driving the school bus offer that


32 School Transportation News • JULY 2024


other jobs don’t? From what I’ve at least heard over and over, it’s the


reward of transporting the nation’s most precious cargo, the relationships built along the routes, and the proof that drivers are directly impacting students now and in the years to come. Kristi Hartzel, a driver trainer and lead dispatcher for


Campbell County Schools in Kentucky, spoke with STN on Episode 213 of the School Transportation Nation podcast about a recent encounter she had with one of her student passengers. She recalled walking into a restaurant one day, where one of her previous students recognized her and paid for her meal. “He was so thankful to introduce to me to his wife and


daughter,” she continued. “Those are things [that show] it’s a very rewarding job.” Others say that being short drivers is the “new nor-


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