It’s been a difficult year for the Valley Transportation Authority following the tragic mass shooting at the rail yard this past May.
But on Wednesday, the agency reached a new milestone that signals a hopeful outlook for the future – graduating 27 new operators, as reported by KPIX.
The class provides much-needed staffing for the agency, depleted after the shooting and the pandemic. But despite the influx of fresh operators, there are still 70 vacancies within the agency. In order to be fully staffed, VTA needs 932 bus operators, and right now there are only 862.
This has impacted scheduling on the lines, VTA spokesperson Stacey Hendler Ross told KPIX. While all lines are active, they’re running with less frequency, with wait times in between buses at about 20 minutes. Previously, the wait would have been about 12 to 15 minutes.
"So we can’t offer that faster service until we have more drivers on the road. So as we hire more drivers we can work toward getting to 100% service," she said.
The time it takes to train new operators is about nine weeks. The next class is about 28 people, and is set to graduate will be on Dec. 29.
The current bus driver shortage is due to "normal attrition and turnover," KPIX reported. Another factor is an internal program that promotes drivers to higher-paid positions within the agency, with around 30 operators moving up just this year.
New operator salaries start at about $42,000 a year and prior experience is not a requirement for applying.
One of the new graduates, Jessie Davis, 61, was the oldest driver in the class.
"I’ve been through a lot in my life. And to make this change, and to accept this challenge, I’m just overwhelmingly filled with joy. To know that you can do it. I’m not done yet," Davis told KPIX.
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