Shortage of Bus Drivers
The Department of Education's Student Transportation Services Branch (STSB) has been working to fulfill student transportation needs for the 2021-2022 school year. Due to the economic impact of COVID-19, all of our transportation contractors have been severely impacted by labor shortages. As a result, the STSB has had to reduce service, consolidate routes, and adjust timing.
In the past thirty days, bus service contractors have reported an increase in driver resignations for various reasons. The contractors are doing everything they can to minimize the impact on service levels including utilizing managers and supervisors as temporary drivers.