Children Return to school Amid Persistent Shortage of Bus Drivers

Wednesday, September 6th, 2023 -- 12:01 PM

(By Robert D'Andrea, Wisconsin Public Radio) Children are returning to class amid a persistent shortage of school bus drivers.

Staffing levels have rebounded but not fully recovered from pandemic lows, and industry leaders say filling the positions has long been a struggle. An aging workforce, regulatory hurdles and misconceptions about the job are all likely contributing factors in the shortage.

Although the need varies around the state, the Wisconsin School Bus Association estimates 15 to 20 percent of driver jobs remain unfilled. Marty Klukis, general manager of Student Transit in Eau Claire, said the "stigma" of working with school children can dissuade potential drivers.

"The majority of the folks I talk to say, 'I could never do that.' And I was one of those guys," he said. "But, you know what, you get behind the wheel, you start impacting and having a positive influence on those little humans. And you go, 'Ah, this is pretty groovy. I really dig this.'"

Klukis said he thinks "school bus driving is more of a calling than it is a job." Wisconsin School Bus Association Executive Director Cherie Hime said about half of Wisconsin students rely on yellow school buses to get to class.

"It's a very important job, getting our kids to school and home again," Hime said. "Otherwise, they may not receive their education. So it definitely is a big player in equity to education." Hime said at many districts around the state last year, everyone from managers and owners of bus companies to school district leaders had to drive to make sure routes were covered.

Some companies have had to combine routes, making for longer trips. Some reforms have been made in recent years to encourage more people to become drivers. The Wisconsin Department of Transportation has temporarily exempted school bus drivers from having to identify engine parts when obtaining a commercial driver’s license.

In August, Gov. Tony Evers also signed an exemption to allow school board members to drive buses.

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