Bus Driver Count Down In White County

The school bus driver shortage in White County continues into the Spring Semester.

White County Schools Director of Transportation and Maintenance Randy Alley said they are two drivers short. Alley said that one of the main reasons the department has had to deny applicants is due to them not passing the background check. Alley said he has no plans to change the extensive security check.

“We’re hauling probably the most precious cargo you can haul,” Alley said. “So we want to be very particular in who is doing that, right now our plans are continued with that extensive background check.”

Alley said the current shortage is putting a strain on his staff, forcing them to rely on substitute drivers. Alley also said another key factor contributing to the low retention rate is the lack of health insurance offered with the job, making the position less appealing to potential drivers.

“I’m gonna say the number one thing that would help us secure drivers would be insurance (health),” Alley said. “Which we do not, basically drivers are considered part time, even though we call them full time drivers, they don’t get enough hours in white county to be considered for insurance with the state.I feel like that would change drastically if the state would allow us to give those drivers insurance.”

Alley said that the schedule is often running behind due to the driver shortage. He said that his district operates 38 routes a day, and there are instances when routes fall behind. However, Alley said that safety comes first. He said he won’t speed up or overcrowd buses, even if it means falling further behind schedule.