Momentum is growing to return to full operation. For pupil transporters, that means addressing potentially greater driver shortage, factoring in the added responsibilities of sanitizing the buses — possibly as a permanent practice — and returning to managing more staff members in person.
Child ridesharing company HopSkipDrive’s recent survey of pupil transporters and education professionals shows that COVID-19 is worsening driver shortage. Other pain points include school bus utilization and funding constraints.
Based on responses from pupil transporters in the U.S, the report details how COVID-19 affected school transportation operations, an exacerbated bus driver shortage, and predictions for the 2021-22 school year.
As more schools return to full in-person instruction, shortages may be exacerbated. Close relationships with neighboring districts, advance planning, and using routing software and combining stops by increasing walking distance can help.
Driver shortage has been exacerbated during the pandemic. Health concerns, the difficulty in renewing expired licenses, and the challenge of attracting new drivers are significant factors.
Six of Florence 1 Schools employees, who either already had their CDL or completed the necessary training to obtain one, step up to work as drivers for the district.
Reynoldsburg City Schools agrees to share 20 of its bus drivers with neighboring Hilliard City Schools so it can continue operations during the pandemic.
The Florida transportation director sprang into action when the pandemic hit, forging invaluable connections with her employees. She has also significantly improved safety and attendance.
A Pennsylvania-based driver supervisor points out how, although the COVID-19 pandemic has dealt a harsh blow to school bus companies and the industry in general, contract negotiations have been a growing challenge for years, as has a lack of support and respect for drivers.
In this roundtable discussion, association leaders and manufacturers speculate on the pandemic’s long-term effects on training, driver responsibilities, health, shortage, and the bus itself.