There are several industries facing staffing shortages like the transit system. Locally, Chapel Hill Transit and Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools put out a notice hiring for new drivers.
Last summer, Chapel Hill Transit faced a critical operator shortage needing more than 50 operators. Chapel Hill Transit changed several bus routes amid an operator shortage. Now, the transit system is faring better.
Brian Litchfield, director of Chapel Hill Transit, said the transit system has made progress on hirings.
“We now have 27 vacant full-time operator positions that we need to fill,” Litchfield said. “We’ve been able to increase with the help of [town] council approving our budget for this year.”
Litchfield noted the starting salary increased to $19 an hour for drivers and COVID-relief resources allow for a $2,500 sign-on bonus.
“We certainly have a ways to go,” Litchfield said. “Fortunately for us, we’ve been able to restore about 80% of our service.”
The transit director said 80% of service means all routes are running but some may be running at a reduced frequency than they would be if there was 100% staffing.
Litchfield acknowledged Chapel Hill Transit is not the only transit system in the state experiencing staffing shortages. Another example is the local school districts.
Andy Jenks, the public information officer for Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools said the district is also recruiting drivers, saying the summer is a crucial time for hiring.
“If you come to us without any training or experience, we’ll train you,” Jenks said. “We’ll get you that experience and we’ll pay you while you do it.”
CHCCS said it has a need for 30 new drivers. Jenks said the training process takes two months and with schools starting back up at the end of August, new drivers are needed now.
“We are being as aggressive as we can be and as thoughtful as we can be for recruiting bus drivers and also retaining the ones that we have,” Jenks said. “Recruitment incentives [include] a $4,000 signing bonus, an hourly wage of $16.50 with opportunities to work 40 hour work weeks, paid training, bonuses for perfect attendance.”
Existing Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools bus drivers are eligible for a $2,000 referral bonus for helping to recruit drivers.
To learn more about operator positions with Chapel Hill Transit, click here. To learn more about operator positions with CHCCS, click here.
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