HOUSTON — The Houston Independent School District (HISD) Transportation Department recently received a community service award from the Near Northwest Management District for the department’s recruiting efforts.

HISD school bus drivers Perry Johnson and Charles Brodie received this award on behalf of the transportation department.

The Near Northwest Management District was created by the state of Texas in 2001 to address concerns about economic development in the northwest area of Houston. The HISD transportation department partners with this agency to recruit bus drivers who live in the area that the Near Northwest Management District serves.

In addition to partnering with local community agencies, officials said the HISD transportation department has a recruiting team at each bus terminal that visits neighborhoods, businesses and churches to recruit bus drivers.   

Current bus drivers can receive $100 for each successful candidate referral. In the current school year, the department has had close to 80 referrals. In previous school years, the department may have received fewer than three referrals a year, so officials said this helps to demonstrate that current employees are actively recruiting their friends to join team HISD.

HISD has more than 1,000 school bus drivers. Bus drivers receive $14.95 per hour and are guaranteed five hours per day, according to the district. Once hired, all bus drivers receive 30 hours of paid training and are also eligible for field trips.  

Bus drivers are also eligible for benefits, including retirement and health insurance. The HISD transportation department offers free commercial driver's license training to candidates interested in becoming a school bus driver.

Other recent news related to HISD's transportation department:

• Texas district awarded for transportation performance