Jackson Co. School Bus Routes Undergoing Strains Due To Driver Shortage

A change in the Jackson County school bus schedule was due to a lack of bus drivers.

Transportation and Attendance Director Phyllis Goad said one bus needed to be released early this week because there was not a driver available to cover that route.

“They wouldn’t have gotten home until 6, 6:30, 7 p.m. because our buses are having to double up some,” Goad said. “We’ve had to cut some routes and merge others so our drivers are getting in later and making sure our kids get home.”

Goad said they currently run 22 routes with 18 buses. She said the lack of drivers has forced her to retire some buses and even have teachers stepping up and substituting as drivers.

The Jackson County School administration recently worked on a pay scale for bus drivers to make the job more attractive to potential drivers. Goad said she believes the driver shortage is partially due to pay, and partially due to people not wanting to work.

“It takes longer to train, they put in a new entry-level driver training program last year that took effect so it does take longer to train,” Goad said. “And that does set us back in getting people ready to take that test, especially the skills test. It is difficult, but just getting people to come initially and apply for a job is the biggie.”

Goad said they are actively trying to retain and recruit more drivers. She said it’s a good job for someone who wants to have more to do during the day or is searching for work.