Houston County, Dublin schools coping with shortage of bus drivers
Both districts say they are still hiring drivers and urge applicants who are safe, dependable and good with kids to apply.
HOUSTON COUNTY, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Classes are back in session, but fewer school buses are on the roads due to a lack of drivers.
Houston County transportation director Tom Walmer says Houston County has seven driver vacancies right now. He says this shortage has been going on in Houston County for a while.
“It’s a challenge not just in Houston County, not just in Georgia,” he said. “It’s a national dilemma trying to be fully staffed owned bus drivers. But we have job fairs and recruitment fairs from time to time.”
Walmer says there are still openings for people to become drivers, but it’s more than just getting your CDL.
“I tell people as part of the process, we can teach anybody to drive a bus,” he said. “We can teach anybody to get a learning permit. But it’s not the same as driving a bus, we’re not looking for someone to drive a bus. We’re looking for people to transport students safely back and forth to school.”
Dublin’s director of transportation Tommy Howell says Dublin has lost four drivers and has only been able to replace two of them, which puts more pressure on current drivers.
“They have to absorb a route they’re not normally doing,” he said. “The best thing about a driver is they get a personal relationship with them, and they’re able to deal with them. Whereas if we have to bring in somebody, they don’t know, sometimes the kids are uncomfortable and don’t know how to act and likewise with the driver.”
Howell explains what they’re looking for.
“We’re looking for somebody dedicated and good with kids,” he said. “We want somebody that personable, and the big thing is we just want somebody dependable. If you’re a safe driver and you’re dependable and you want to come to work, we will hire you as a bus driver.”
Dublin’s Susie Dasher Elementary school principal Christopher Lewis says he’s been stepping in to run routes and pick up students, but as a parent, it’s frustrating at times.
“You’re used to structure and everything, used to a certain time,” he said. “Parents having to explain to their employers why they’re late because of no bus driver. So, it can be a challenge.”
He explains how he thinks the issue could be solved.
“Statewide, pay our bus drivers like we pay our teachers,” he said. “So, what we try to do here is make the routes manageable. And even if you’re not used to working with kids like I am, I know I don’t experience some of the same issues the other drivers do. but here in Dublin the bus number of students is somewhat manageable, so that helps out.”
