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He told KYW Newsradio he understands those parents who need transportation for their children to attend school in person. But his opinion is that social distancing is impossible on a school bus.
“It’s too risky for our age group to be on this bus in a confined area,” he said. “You wouldn’t go to a restaurant and you wouldn’t invite 19 kids twice a day into your living room. Why would you put them on a school bus?”
Rogoff said even though seats and handles are sanitized after each run, he’s concerned for the health of children on the bus.
“We can drive with the windows open. That would help,” Rogoff said. “But what do you do in the rain and what do you do in the colder weather? A school bus is nothing more than a large petri dish.”
The 74-year-old is concerned for his own health, as well.
“Understand that most school bus drivers are over the age of 60 years old,” he said. “Many in my school district are over the age of 70 years old. We’re compromised by our age.”
Rogoff said he’s speaking for himself, not for his employer or his union. He said even if he is asked to provide transportation for private or parochial students for face-to-face classes, he won’t do it.
“Personally, I’m not going back,” he said. “My kids don’t want me to go back. My wife doesn’t want me to go back. I will not go back.”
The Pennsylvania School Bus Association said the industry was facing a shortage of drivers even before the pandemic hit.