Photo by Todd Bennington - South Bend Transportation Supervisor Wyatt Kuiken says he's tried a number of avenues to attract bus driver candidates but has met with limited success.
Transportation supervisors of local school districts say they're feeling the effects of a long-term nationwide shortage of bus drivers and, despite their best efforts, have found it difficult to successfully recruit candidates for employment.
"I think it's an issue everywhere. It's just hard to get people because the requirements are so high," said Steve Hudson, transportation supervisor at Willapa Valley.
South Bend's Wyatt Kuiken agreed, saying, "It's a nationwide thing really at this point. I think a lot of it is the increasing requirements that drivers have to have."
Kuiken enumerated a list of requirements that includes computer-based and skills testing with the Department of Licensing, a pre-employment drug test, driving abstract (record) that goes back five years, criminal background check, CPR/First Aid training, time spent on behind-the-wheel training, and a Commercial Driver's License physical exam.
Employment candidates also have to make it through the sizable CDL guideline book before they can even test for an instruction permit, Kuiken explained, and in the South Bend District some of the initial costs are born by candidates, though the district does pay for the bulk of expenses.
Though the South Bend district starts drivers off at $15.36 an hour, Kuiken said the majority of their drivers work just two hours a day, one in the morning and one in the afternoon. Drivers can, however, pick up extra work in the form of field and sports trips. Still, those extra hours are not guaranteed and neither do they count toward a 30-hour weekly minimum needed in order to qualify for full benefits.
"I don't think pay is the issue so much as there's not enough hours in the day and there's a lot of requirements to obtain it. It's not a really promising job when you're only looking at working two hours a day," Kuiken stated.
Even so, Kuiken said it can be a job well-suited to some depending on their schedule. Several of his current drivers are pastors, and in the past, he's had drivers who also worked in a paraeducator capacity with the district. Those who are retired from another career or who are otherwise stay-at-home parents are also common, he said.
According to Kuiken, the South Bend district is currently down two drivers from the lowest number of drivers they've ever had and they've doubled up on routes just to survive. The district maintains a fleet of 12 buses with seven drivers covering eleven daily routes. The district serves 325 to 350 students per day through their bus system on average, Kuiken said.
Asked if anybody can learn to drive a school bus, Kuiken said he's certain he can teach anybody who meets the state requirements of being age 21 or older and having at least five years of driving experience.
A certified CDL trainer, Kuiken does all the district's training in-house, and estimates he's trained between 40 and 50 people to drive over the past ten years.
"I've got a lot of different strategies that I use for teaching how to turn such a large vehicle and accomplish tight areas," Kuiken said, adding "I can't say I ever trained a driver and they decided to say 'this wasn't for me.'"
"I just like people to know that it is a fun and rewarding job," Kuiken concluded, adding that he keeps in contact with a number of former drivers who say they miss the work.
According to Raymond Transportation Supervisor Steve Jones, his district's concerns are slightly more specific.
"Our issue is substitute bus drivers, people willing to be substitutes," Jones said. "We haven't had an issue really with finding people to drive regular routes. But getting substitutes has been challenging. Right now, I have a couple that are training."
"It's just the economics or working part time has changed," Jones added. "It's a little more challenging to find part-time employees."
Jones said the Raymond district's regular drivers are guaranteed three hours a day for 181 days a year. Extra trips on top of that can range from three to four hours in duration up to 14 or 15 hours, depending on the type of event and its location.
"It isn't a job that you can support a household on, but it's a good part-time job," he said, mentioning that benefits include paid vacation and sick leave.
Jones said he didn't think his employees fit any particular demographic, though some are mothers of students within the district. One driver has been with the district about 40 years, he said, making a career out of it. Bus drivers for the Raymond District start out at $15 per hour.
Those interested in potential employment can get in contact with the Raymond district's bus garage by calling 360-942-3302. The South Bend bus garage can be reached at 360-875-5000.