Jacksonville-area school districts experience bus driver shortage

Local school districts are trying desperately to avoid a bus driver shortage that’s already a nationwide problem. Bus companies and school districts said they’ve been advertising for bus driver openings all year.

St. Johns County is seeking bus drivers year-round; they’re putting up signs in front of schools hoping to entice more people to want to buckle up and join the team.

Director of Transportation Al Pantano told us the qualifications are strict. He said it takes about five weeks from the time a person applies before a driver is properly trained to be behind the wheel driving a school bus full of students.

“There is a high level of scrutiny applied to the people who are allowed to operate these big yellow machines. Not just anybody can come in and drive these,” Pantano said.

Instructors are constantly training applicants to ensure the district doesn’t face a driver shortage.

“The challenge of operating a school bus is the art of it, which gets into the management, the rapport, respect for the children, and all of those safety aspects,” Pantano said.

Pantano said drivers have to meet all state requirements, be approved with a Class B license with two endorsements and complete at least 50 hours of certified training.

He explained bus drivers have to have five years of experience, clean driving record, pass a drug and alcohol test, pass a criminal background check and comply with fingerprinting. St. Johns County has added a check-ride system where drivers drive to all schools with an empty bus for training purposes. Once the staff feels confident in the driver, they’ll drive those miles with students.

Clay County is looking to hire 20 additional substitute drivers and Camden County wants to hire 12.

Those in training to be a bus driver, like Robert Evans, told us the job is about inspiring young people.

“Each one of those kids have a purpose, no matter what they’re like or where they come from, and you (bus driver) can help them achieve that purpose,” Evans said.

In St. Johns County, a full-time driver for the school year works for 186 days and can make between $13 to $20 an hour.

“If this is a job that is your sole income and you are really dependent on your income it’s tough, and it gets tough to make ends meet,” Pantano said.

During the summer, there are opportunities to drive buses for camps, but they're limited. For this school year, St. Johns County added 10 full-time bus drivers.

Cox Media Group