SPECIAL REPORT
there were funds left over for an additional $1,000 bonus for new drivers with or without their CDL. “We need new drivers, and we pay for drivers to get the training for a CDL license. This is a $3,000 to $5,000 value,” said Creach. “We also really need bus mechanics. A problem we are facing is that mechanics go to work for companies that pay more than we do. We have found that when the economy is good and other transporta- tion companies are hiring, it is harder to find drivers and mechanics. But when more people are seeking employ- ment, we have more applicants. We offer stable jobs and we have more days off than many trucking companies. We offer good jobs.” To get new buses, Creach receives funding from
developers who want to do business in Osceola Coun- ty. Companies that want to build must pay impact fees, and this includes money to pay for school construction, more teachers, and more transportation. Creach said he has used the money generated from impact fees to buy nine or 10 buses in the past year. Meanwhile, Jim Ellis, director of pupil transportation for
Henrico County Public Schools in Virginia, said he needs help hiring enough drivers. The district offers signing bonuses and reaches out to people who might make good drivers. But it takes work to convince people to drive school buses. Many people want to avoid driving split shifts. Plus, driving a school bus can be difficult, and some people want to avoid driving a bus full of kids. Also, they want to avoid going through a full background check and completing CDL training for a lower-paid job. “I feel drivers need to be paid above the fray of other jobs because we transport the most precious cargo.” said Ellis. “I’m sure parents would agree that bus drivers transporting their children should be paid more than delivery drivers like UPS, Amazon, Fed-Ex and others.” But not all school districts are in a dire need of drivers.
Jeff Reiss, the transportation supervisor for Delaware Valley Regional High School in New Jersey, is in a more pleasant situation. He shared that he has enough bus drivers and has even loaned some to other nearby school districts that need drivers. ●
How to Evaluate Student
Transportation Options Identifying the right transportation partner can help you determine suitable solutions for all your students. Evaluating your options is key.
May 31—June 4, 2024
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stnexpo.com/east/ 22 School Transportation News • MARCH 2024
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