It’s no secret that there is a nationwide school bus driver shortage. Now, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, shortages have been even more of an issue than ever before.
Let’s look at some factors that may be contributing to this shortage:
Low School Bus Driver Pay
Nearly 25% of people have admitted to leaving their current job for a higher-paying job. Although you may enjoy your position, and it may be a rewarding career, sometimes you need a job that will keep you on track financially.
Many bus drivers seek other employment opportunities because their pay isn’t as high as expected. Typically, the average bus driver will make about $16 an hour.
School Bus Drivers Want More Hours
A school bus driver will work inconsistent hours. They’ll usually block off about 2-3 hours of driving in the morning and about 2-3 hours in the afternoon. Most times, these short days aren’t enough work for drivers, and even if they wanted to find a part-time job to kill time in between their drives, it’s practically impossible.
Drivers Are Hired Based on Experience
Many school bus companies will only hire drivers who already have their CDL and have driven for at least two years. If you don’t have this experience, it becomes very difficult for you to find a job in this industry.
When a company is looking to hire more school bus drivers, they may find it beneficial to hire those with little to no experience and pay them to train for the job. Investing in your employees will increase your chances of having them stay with the company for a longer period.
COVID-19 Has Impacted the Amount of School Bus Drivers
To no surprise, the current pandemic has not helped the pre-existing shortage of school bus drivers. Drivers who are at higher risk of getting the virus have taken this opportunity to retire because it’s not worth the potential health risk to continue driving.
What Can You Do to Keep Your Current Drivers?
Now that you have more information on why drivers have left their jobs in the past, it’s important to take this information and apply it to your company to help keep the drivers that you currently have. Besides familiarizing yourself with the reasons why bus drivers leave their job, here are some simple things that you can do for your current drivers to help increase their job satisfaction.
Offer Continuing Education for Your Drivers
Investing in your employees is a great way to establish a long-term relationship with them. It also shows your employees that you’re committed to them, and you believe in their potential. Besides offering continuing education classes and training, try offering additional classes to help with stress management or wellness programs to help drivers cope with the job’s stress!
Support Your Drivers
Your driver also needs to feel supported while on the job. Encourage your drivers to create their own rules and standards for their bus. They’ll love being able to have authority.
Also, don’t forget to provide administrative support for your driver if they have a difficult group of children or they need help assisting concerned parents. Overall, having administrative support will help make your drivers feel appreciated and heard.
Update the Technology on Your Buses
Updating your bus with the latest technology will make your driver feel safer, more efficient, and have a more enjoyable experience on the job. Whether you add a stop-arm camera to help improve safety or a GPS navigation to help them manage their routes, your bus driver will appreciate the upgrades!
If you’re ready to upgrade your current fleet, make sure you’re visiting American Bus Sales to install the latest technology in your school buses. We strive to provide our customers with the latest technology available for their new or pre-owned school buses.
Contact us today to learn more about our buses and unique services!
