School bus companies in Calgary are facing a shortage of drivers as the fall term approaches, but the problem is less severe than in previous years thanks to the economic downturn.

First Student Canada is looking for about 40 more drivers, while Southland, Alberta's other major school bus company, needs to hire 125 people.

Recruiting and retaining drivers in a recession, however, is much easier than it was during the boom, said First Student spokesman Stephen Phillip.

"This has been one of our best years for returning drivers," he said, adding that $90 for a four-hour split shift is attractive pay in tough times.

"I think Calgary in particular is one of the best-paid bus driving operations in North America. So our drivers earn more than drivers in Edmonton, and far more than drivers in the east," he said.

In a bid to get all of its routes covered by the time school starts next month, First Student is running newspaper ads and has started a program to reward drivers who bring in new employees, said Phillip.

For prospective driver Corey Cardellini, the option of bringing her one-year-old and three-year-old along for the ride makes the job appealing.

"It's a great option for me to be able to take my kids to work with me. That avoids having to pay for child care, which is pretty expensive these days," she said.