The lack of bus drivers is still a concern throughout North Carolina. WCPSS is having trouble gathering drivers to replace the ones that have left. The lack of transportation has affected many students, but the problem has been getting better.
The problem with bus driver shortages has been affecting WCPSS and other school districts since the pandemic. During Covid-19 many drivers started leaving due to illness and troubles with unemployment. At the beginning of the 2022-2023 school year, Education NC reported out of 14,100 driver positions 1,300 were unoccupied. Governor Roy Cooper proposed a plan on August 29, 2023, to help with bus driver shortages. He invested $1 million in federal funding to hire 10 additional school bus trainers within the DMV. This plan helped bring out more bus drivers by training new recruits faster. WCPSS familles are hoping this plan helps with the ongoing problem.
One of the main problems bus drivers have is the pay. In Governor Cooper’s Plan it also included a 9.5 percent salary increase over two years for bus drivers and an 8 percent increase for school bus driver trainers. The plan gave a $1,500 retention bonus for school bus drivers and school bus trainers making less than $75,000 and a $1,000 bonus if they make more than $75,000.
” Actually, at FVHS, we are doing pretty well with the bus situation. I spoke with our transportation director for our area yesterday, and she said that there are four new drivers about to start as soon as their CDL license is approved by the DMV. This should help with our double back situation we have currently. We currently have six routes that are double backs,” said assistant principal Eric Thomas.
