CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) — Students in one west suburban school district are missing classes due to a shortage of bus drivers.
The number of bus drivers in East Aurora School District 131 is down about 40%.
It's created mass chaos, forcing some students to miss classes while others are stuck on buses for hours at a time during hot and humid weather.
The Aurora Beacon News reported the Board of Education approved paying staff members $2,000 each this semester to come in early or stay late to be with students stuck at school because of the bus shortage.
Meantime, the bus company, First Student, is trying to incentivize new hires with a $2,500 sign on bonus.
First Student Bus Company spokesman Chris Kemper told The Chicago Tribune the bus industry was already dealing with a driver shortage before the COVID-19 pandemic hit.
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Chicago Public Schools also is facing a bus driver shortage after more than 70 school bus drivers from private companies quit on Friday because of the CPS COVID-19 vaccine requirement.
CPS transportation staff is trying to find rides for 2,100 students and the school system is reportedly offering some parents $1,000 upfront and $500 a month to arrange alternative transportation for their kids.
CPS, the nation's third-largest school system, is working with Uber and Lyft to possibly come up with an alternative that involves students being transported by ride-share.
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