Nearly a dozen schools across Miami Valley struggling with bus driver shortages

MIAMI VALLEY — News Center 7′s Kayla McDermott reached out to more than 50 school districts across the Miami Valley, and nearly a dozen said they are experiencing bus driver shortages.

Some districts said drivers are leaving for jobs that offer better pay and hours. Other reasons such as possible COVID-19 exposure and retirement were also listed.

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Most districts said their bus schedules have not been impacted by the shortages, but that could change soon.

Troy City Schools is just one of the local districts impacted.

Troy Superintendent Chris Piper said although the transportation of students has not been negatively impacted, it has required a lot of hard work and creative scheduling.

Piper said that there are a number of factors that he believes are behind the shortages.

“Driving a bus requires a great deal of skill and there just aren’t enough licensed drivers to go around right now, although our district is willing to train interested candidates. Because there is a shortage of drivers across the region and state, it becomes a very competitive market as schools look to fill these positions,” said Piper.

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Many districts, including Troy, are providing incentives in hopes to entice people to become bus drivers.

Piper said Troy offers paid training and a guaranteed minimum number of hours to any substitute drivers without a regular route.

Troy is currently looking to hire candidates to fill both full-time and substitute bus drivers positions.

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