Buffalo, NY (WBEN) With the school year getting underway this week for most districts, the nationwide school bus driver shortage hasn't missed a stop in Western New York.
In Buffalo's public schools alone, there's a need for 150 drivers.
"It's been a year like no other," says Sean McCabe of First Student. "Hiring's been a challenge, but we're making great headway here as federal unemployment programs are poised to end soon." He says he's 15 to 20 percent short across the board, as First Student serves locations ranging from Fredonia to Rochester, and he's hiring constantly.
McCabe says the training process is significant. "We have close to 50 hours of training," says McCabe, but if you already have a commercial driver's license, you can take less time. "Then, you have to coordinate with the DMV for a road test. There are also drug tests, background checks and all the prerequisite information before the hand on training." McCabe adds there's a central training center to train new hires.
Over at Akron Central Schools, Superintendent Patrick McCabe says there are enough drivers ready for the start of the school year today. "I'm pleased we are fully operational to meet the needs of getting our kids to school on time," says McCabe. "We do have three bus runs still looking for drivers, but we can cover them with our subs and mechanics," noting he's still looking to hire three more drivers.
McCabe says there have been recruiting efforts. "It's involved a great deal of advertising, social media, local paper, word of mouth with our electronic message board," says McCabe. "We've tried to make the position more attractive. They are flexible hours, and certainly work for some individuals. Some of our drivers pick up other hours in the district in other departments." He says the hiring rate is at 41 percent.
McCabe adds other staffers can drive buses. "We've gone the extra mile in that our director of transportation can drive a bus and usually does. Our director of special education will also drive a bus for us, and we have mechanics who can drive any given day," explains McCabe.
Buffalo Public Schools are 150 drivers short, according to school board member Larry Scott. "When we're facing a national and local crisis of a bus driver shortage, it become an even bigger challenge to get our kids to and from school efficiently," says Scott.
Scott says the district's director of transportation has had to re-route how to get kids to school. "I will imagine there will be drivers doubling up on routes," says Scott. "We are confident that arrival to school will go relatively smoothly. But there will be some bumps bringing kids home from school." Scott notes after school programs will not take place so the district can get transportation to and from refined. "There will be some struggles with kids coming home later than expected. I urge parents to expect a bit of an inconvenience because this is what we're dealing with right now," says Scott.
Buffalo's school year begins Wednesday.
