Finding school bus drivers is a challenge

The job of school bus driver may be one of the most undervalued on the planet. And the significant demands of the job are one big reason school districts in York County, Chester and Lancaster are having a hard time find enough drivers to fill their needs.

School officials note that two other factors – rising school populations and a healthier economy – also make it harder to find qualified drivers. Despite constant efforts to attract drivers, area districts are coming up short.

While the common assumption may be that driving a school bus is a low-paying job requiring few skills, it appears that school districts might have to find better incentives, including higher pay and benefits, to attract the drivers they need.

At the worst point of the recent recession, with unemployment in double digits in many parts of the state, recruiting school bus drivers was easier. Now, however, with more jobs available, competition for drivers is harder, especially when bus drivers’ pay is just a little over minimum wage.

The state sets the base pay – about $7.50 an hour – for school bus drivers. Local districts can supplement pay, with entry-level drivers earning about $10 an hour and experienced drivers making up to $14 an hour.

Some districts, including Clover, Rock Hill and Fort Mill, also offer benefits.

But the requirements of the job are rigorous. First, 40 to 45 hours of training are required.

Federal law requires all drivers to have a commercial license and meet all “special physical, mental and moral requirements” established by a school district or state. That means a thorough background check, a driving record with nor more than 4 points, a physical exam and drug screen, and at least 12 months of driving experience.

Most districts also require at least 10 hours of training behind the wheel, and it often takes 40 hours or more on the job to master the details of driving a bus. Bryan Vaughn, director of safety and transportation for Lancaster schools, said that eight or nine of every 10 candidates wash out before the end of training.

Once they earn the job, drivers must drive students to school early in the morning and then be ready again in the afternoon to pick them up. And while many drivers enjoy interacting with the children, managing a bus full of unruly students also can be a tough job.

All this results in a shortage of drivers at many districts throughout the state. And the problem is exacerbated by the fast-growing student populations in area districts, which obviously increases the number of students who need to be transported to and from school.

We think it is unfair to subject children to a bus ride of 45 minutes or more one way under any circumstances. Extending routes because too few drivers are available is not the answer.

We hope retirees and others with flexible schedules hoping to make a little extra cash will step forward and apply to be bus drivers at area school districts. But this appears to be a classic instance of supply and demand.

If districts want qualified drivers, they might need to sweeten the pot.

This story was originally published October 21, 2015 at 12:03 PM with the headline "Finding school bus drivers is a challenge."