In-person classes are back in session at Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools – but with a shortage of bus drivers, the district has had to pull out all the stops to make sure its students make it to the classroom.

“We knew this summer that we were going to have some shortages,” said Julie Hennis, the district’s coordinator of volunteers and partners. “We’ve been able to piece it all together and make sure the kids are picked up, but there’s very much a shortage, so we’re trying to put our team together and get as many drivers as possible, to get the times right.”

Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools is not alone. School districts nationwide are reporting bus driver shortages, and Chapel Hill Transit has recently had to impose temporary service reductions amidst its own shortage of operators.

Hennis said the district is currently facing a shortage of about 30 drivers, out of roughly 100 total positions. Other departments, including her own, are pitching in to help transportation officials in their effort to get students to school on time.

Still, Hennis said the shortage has had significant consequences: longer travel times for students, and much longer shifts for the drivers themselves.

“It takes a lot of hard work and effort on the part of the transportation department,” Hennis said. “Everybody is a little overwhelmed right now trying to keep those schools running and also dealing with the pandemic.”

In order to attract more job applications, the CHCCS school board unanimously approved an incentives package for new hires – “the most aggressive marketing strategy that I have experienced in my 27-year career,” according to transportation director Brad Johnson.

The new incentives package includes a $4000 signing bonus (up from $2000), a perfect-attendance bonus of $1000 per semester (up from $500), a living wage of $16.50 per hour, expanded hours to guarantee full-time employment, and paid training for applicants who still need their commercial drivers’ licenses. Staff members who recruit new drivers will also receive a $2000 bonus, up from $250.

Hennis said the district has already received new job applications since announcing the added incentives.

“Right now we’re certainly hoping that this will be the incentive” to eliminate the shortage, Hennis said. “But at some point we’ve got to look at every angle to see that we get those seats filled, so we can get the kids to school.”

“It’s overbearing to some of the drivers to put in as many hours, and it’s a long day – so we’ll think good thoughts about making this work,” she added.

If you want to apply, visit the CHCCS volunteer page or call the volunteer office at 919-967-8211 ext:28281.

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