KAHULUI, Hawaii — All school bus routes on Maui that had been suspended due to driver shortage have now been restored to service.

As SBF previously reported, the state temporarily consolidated and suspended school bus routes for four schools on Maui due to the driver shortage, and the Hawaii State Department of Education (HIDOE) also reported a school bus driver shortage on Kauai. The state was able to restore one school bus route and hire several more CDL-licensed drivers as of mid-August.

School bus contractors are continuing to make progress in addressing the shortage of drivers with a commercial driver's license (CDL) on Maui and Kauai who are qualified to operate school buses. As of Monday, all previously suspended bus routes on Maui have been brought back into service, according to a news release from the HIDOE. With the restoration of these final two routes, serving Baldwin High School and Iao Intermediate School, all schools on all islands are receiving school bus service.

School bus contractors are focusing on returning consolidated routes to normal, and are still looking to hire more qualified school bus drivers. Maui’s shortage of qualified school bus drivers is currently at seven, which is a decrease from 11 three weeks ago, Hawaii Tribune-Herald reports.

For a limited time, contractors are offering hiring bonuses and increased wages. Interested drivers with a CDL should contact the Student Transportation Services branch of the HIDOE at (808) 586-0170 as soon as possible. Interested drivers without a CDL are also being sought. The CDL training and testing process is open and takes approximately three weeks to complete.