Calgary school bus driver shortage causes headaches
CBC News | Posted: September 12, 2013 4:16 AM | Last Updated: September 12, 2013
'There are going to be hiccups the first couple of weeks while routes are established'
School officials say some bus drivers have to double or triple the number of runs they complete to pick up students because of a shortage of drivers.
The Calgary Board of Education (CBE) says about 35,000 students ride the bus on any given day.
Darlene Unruh, CBE's director of transportation, says there are 19 routes that do not have assigned drivers — 17 of those are designated for special needs children.
"There are going to be hiccups the first couple of weeks while routes are established," she said.
Unruh says the aim is to get those positions filled as soon as possible, adding familiarity and consistency is the aim for every route they run.
Mike Stiles, the assistant manager of Student First Canada, is also trying to find drivers for some of the 650 buses in the company's biggest fleet.
Right now, he is short about 40 drivers but is actively recruiting.
"It's the students that suffer," he said. "So we want them to come in, work for us. It's a part-time job and it's a great career."