SchoolBus logo in red and orange
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

NAPT News & Views — Driver Shortage Demands Innovative Thinking

The current shortage is so severe that it requires new thinking. Paying more per hour without considering other factors may not be the best long-term strategy.

by Mike Martin
November 8, 2016
NAPT News & Views — Driver Shortage Demands Innovative Thinking

The recent back-to-school news cycle had numerous stories about school districts struggling with driver shortages and schedule delays at a time when student transportation demands are, in some communities, continuing to grow at exponential rates.

5 min to read


The recent back-to-school news cycle had numerous stories about school districts struggling with driver shortages and schedule delays at a time when student transportation demands are, in some communities, continuing to grow at exponential rates.

Management and leadership courses usually urge you not to bring up a problem unless you also have a solution.

That’s sage advice, but sometimes problems need to be brought up so many voices and perspectives can weigh in with potential solutions. That’s especially true in our industry, because challenges invariably have a local flavor, and what works in one district may or may not make sense in another.

But more often than not, shared thinking among school bus professionals yields useful information and common denominators applicable to all circumstances. The NAPT board is hoping that’s the case with the driver shortage affecting our industry.

The recent back-to-school news cycle had numerous stories about school districts struggling with driver shortages and schedule delays at a time when student transportation demands are, in some communities, continuing to grow at exponential rates.

A 2015 survey by School Bus Fleet magazine showed that only 8% of responding districts had no shortage of school bus drivers (meaning 92% did!). Meanwhile, 30% reported a mild shortage, 36% moderate, 18% severe, and 8% desperate.

If there were a simple answer to the shortage, or one dimension to it, I’d be laying it out now and this would be a very short article! But it’s not only about having a full complement of drivers, but also backups when drivers are sick or don’t show up for work.

As the 2016-17 school year kicked off in McLean County, Illinois, the district had what amounted to an “all-points bulletin” out for more drivers. According to news accounts, as many as 1,000 kids had no school bus transportation, and those who did sometimes arrived at school 30 to 90 minutes late.

An ongoing driver dispute with the company operating the buses is behind the shortages in that community, manifesting itself in as many as 20 drivers a day not reporting for work. Without substitute drivers, the school district had to scramble, pulling extra drivers from neighboring districts.

Money is always the first topic to come up when talking about driver shortages. But merely paying more per hour without considering other factors affecting the shortage may not be the best long-term strategy.

Driving a school bus is typically a part-time job, unlike most other commercial driving. School bus drivers not only must have a CDL; they must pass repeated drug screens and criminal background checks, and some districts have even more requirements. And, unlike driving your average commercial truck, the school bus “cargo” is as special as it gets.

Plus, the job is getting more complex all the time. In addition to driving safely and meeting a schedule, drivers must handle disciplinary issues, be vigilant about security along their routes, make sure seat belts are used (and used correctly), and more.

A school bus driver has very consequential responsibilities every day. It takes a level of dedication and skill at interpersonal relations not required in most other commercial driving situations.

But other drivers typically earn more (some of the disparity certainly involves the fact that driving a school bus is part-time work). Recent data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported the average hourly wage for school bus drivers in 2014 at $14.38, compared to $18.95 for intercity and transit drivers.

But, again, I caution against solely focusing on hourly pay. In fact, the current shortage is so severe that I believe it requires new thinking.

For those who missed it, the September issue of School Bus Fleet had an excellent article documenting steps taken by one school district: Salem-Keizer Public Schools in Salem, Oregon. It should be a must-read for any district with a driver shortage.

In a nutshell, Salem-Keizer decided to take a fresh approach to their driver shortage, and they began the process with a very introspective discussion where everything was on the table and creative thinking was encouraged.

What’s particularly noteworthy about their work is that they put aside the old way of thinking, which is typically “We need drivers? Let’s put an ad in the paper.” Instead, the Salem-Keizer team began by asking themselves, in essence, “What do we need to do to make this a more attractive place to work?”

The Salem-Keizer team decided that to compete successfully against other community employers, they had to create an attractive overall package that makes driving a school bus a profession with a clear future, and it has to dovetail to drivers’ personal lives and expectations.

Mike Martin is executive director of NAPT.

To be sure, pay and other benefits are included in the Salem-Keizer plan, along with aggressive advertising. But they are primarily focused on changing the way school bus drivers — particularly potential school bus drivers — think about the job and the district as an employer. In my view, that’s just plain smart.

One of the important questions at the heart of this matter is “Why are recruiting and retention always lumped together?” To me, they are two distinctly different things, so we have to approach them as two distinctly different problems. What do you think?

That question is not rhetorical. NAPT and SBF have embarked on a collaborative effort intended to help everyone better understand the national school bus driver shortage. The first step is to get feedback from as many people as possible.

We recently sent out a school bus driver recruitment survey and are now analyzing the results. Thanks to everyone who gave us their input. 

We really do want to know what you think so we can all try to get to the bottom of a very vexing challenge.

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

More Management

The Blue Bird and Micro Bird logos with a plus sign in between against a blue background
Managementby News/Media ReleaseFebruary 17, 2026

Blue Bird to Acquire & Consolidate Micro Bird

The Georgia-based OEM is set to take on Girardin Group’s stake in the 50/50 Micro Bird joint venture. The change will consolidate the two businesses under one brand, one team, and one approach.

Read More →
 a row of school buses with text next to it in an orange box that says "Share your contractor insights" and the school bus fleet logo
Managementby StaffFebruary 16, 2026

Calling All Contractors: 2026 Operations Survey Open

School bus contractors and alternative transportation providers, your insights are crucial; please help us report on the state of contracting in this survey. Answers close March 31.

Read More →
Screenshots of the Here Comes The Bus mobile app displayed on smartphones, showing login screen, real-time bus tracking map, map legend, activities list, and a digital bus pass with QR code.
Managementby News/Media ReleaseFebruary 12, 2026

CalAmp Launches Next-Generation Parent App

CalAmp’s updated Here Comes The Bus app introduces enhanced safety controls, streamlined parent onboarding, and expanded features to improve visibility and communication around student transportation.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
The Route thumbnail with school bus fleet logo
SponsoredFebruary 11, 2026

70 Years, 100 Episodes: The Stories Behind Decades of School Busing

It’s a celebration and a blast from the past in this special anniversary episode of The Route. Take a walk through major industry moments, milestones, and the people who shaped it with some faces you haven’t seen in a while! The Route is sponsored by IC Bus.

Read More →
Graphic labeled “Legislative Roundup” featuring a school bus illustration in front of the U.S. Capitol dome with the School Bus Fleet logo in the corner.
Managementby News/Media ReleaseFebruary 10, 2026

School Bus Laws to Watch: Stop-Arm Cameras, Safety Retrofits & Driver Shortage Fixes

From Maine bus safety upgrades to stop-arm camera bills, electric bus funding, and an Alabama workforce solution, here’s the latest in school bus legislation across the U.S.

Read More →
Amanda Huggett sits smiling in front of a row of yellow school buses beside a graphic reading “School Bus Fleet Monthly Cheat Sheet: Top News & Updates – January 2026,” promoting an industry news recap video.
Managementby Amanda HuggettFebruary 9, 2026

Safety Stories, State Legislation, OEM Moves & Love the Bus: January 2026 School Bus News Recap

Missed any of last month’s industry news? We got you. Reporting from Minneapolis, here’s your quick recap of updates from Waymo's controversy, technology, and safety legislation across the U.S.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
School Transportation
SponsoredFebruary 9, 2026

How Supplemental Transportation Helps Close Driver Gaps

Ongoing driver shortages nationwide are forcing tough transportation decisions. See how districts are using supplemental transportation to maintain coverage for high-needs students.

Read More →
Children run toward a stopped yellow school bus on a residential street as a graphic overlay reads “School Bus Fleet Biz Briefs” with the date February 9, 2026, promoting an industry business news roundup.
Managementby Staff and News ReportsFebruary 7, 2026

School Bus Business Briefs: School Grants, New Contracts & Revenue Growth

In school bus tech and vendor updates, check in on news from EverDriven, Gatekeeper, Fleetio, Transfinder, RIDE, and new district partnerships.

Read More →
A red and orange personnel roundup graphic with text reading "Changing Lanes."
Managementby Elora HaynesFebruary 4, 2026

Changing Lanes: EverDriven, ADROIT, DeVivo Companies, School Bus Logistics, Zum, & Dorman

Check out some of the latest personnel moves from across the school bus industry, including new leadership appointments, various promotions, and major restructuring.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
parked school buses
SponsoredFebruary 3, 2026

From Damage Control to Decision Partner: Transportation's Role in School Closures & Redistricting

School closures are inevitable, but transportation chaos doesn’t have to be. Learn how modern routing technology helps districts model closure scenarios before board votes turn into crises.

Read More →