As we navigate the early stages of rebuilding our economy post-pandemic, progress is slow. The ongoing shortage of goods and labor is significantly hindering our recovery, particularly affecting essential services like school transportation.
Across the nation, numerous school districts are grappling with the challenge of hiring bus drivers and expanding their fleets while adhering to safety guidelines. For instance, EastSide Charter School has resorted to offering parents $700 for the year to drop off and pick up their children due to the urgent need for drivers. Similarly, Pittsburgh Public Schools has postponed the return to in-person classes until it can fill over 400 vacant driver positions. “We’re in a situation where there’s both a labor shortage and a rise in enrollment,” stated Aaron Bass, the CEO of EastSide. “We’ve been searching tirelessly for all kinds of staff: janitors, cafeteria workers, bus drivers. Even with ample funding, securing the necessary personnel remains elusive.”
The scarcity of labor is widespread, with many open positions in other sectors offering higher wages than those in school districts, prompting workers to seek better-paying jobs. The Washington Post reports that the economy added over 1.8 million jobs in the last two months, and the unemployment rate dipped to 5.4% in July. While this is encouraging, there remains a pressing need to fill positions across various sectors.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median wage for school bus drivers was $16.05 in 2018, but many companies are now offering significantly more. For example, Missouri Central School Bus is providing hourly rates between $20 and $22.60, along with a $2,000 signing bonus. Parents are increasingly reliant on these services for safe and dependable transportation, especially given the demands of modern work schedules. As LaShawn Parker, a mother of four, expressed, “With my busy work life, getting my kids to school on time without bus service is a real challenge.”
The transportation crisis extends beyond driver shortages; there is also a lack of available buses. With the CDC recommending masking and social distancing, school districts must transport fewer students per bus, exacerbating the shortage. “To address this, we need to increase the number of buses on the road,” stated William Andexler, a transportation coordinator for Akron Public Schools. He has had to reduce bus routes from 80 to 70 and is consolidating stops to enhance efficiency, though this will increase costs by approximately $100,000 for the year.
The Fox C-6 district in Jefferson County, near St. Louis, is exploring various strategies to mitigate their bus driver shortage. They are offering training and support for drivers to obtain proper licenses and are considering adjustments to school schedules to reduce the number of drivers needed. Ultimately, they decided to alter start and end times at several schools to maintain consistent transportation for students, as one in five students would otherwise need alternative transportation due to new policies.
As we continue to grapple with the implications of the pandemic and the emergence of new COVID variants, many individuals are understandably hesitant to engage in situations that could jeopardize their health. The future of school transportation remains uncertain, and swift action is necessary to address these challenges as more students return to in-person learning.
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In summary, as schools face significant challenges in securing transportation for students, some districts are incentivizing parents to help with drop-offs and pickups. The ongoing labor shortage, compounded by pandemic-related restrictions, necessitates creative solutions to ensure that all students have access to reliable transportation.