School bus drivers needed, survey finds

many transportation firms are operating with what is essentially the bare minimum of drivers, with very little additional capacity to meet unusual circumstances.

“What we see as the economy gets stronger, the availability problem more often than not becomes worse,” Mr. Ammon said.

“Any time you are dealing with drivers — no matter how many spares you have — it’s always in the back of our mind, ‘If something happens, will you have enough?’ ” Mr. Fauss said.

Mr. Amman sees the school bus driver shortage as “a North American problem,” with the situation in Canada being less severe, although both countries face similar challenges.

The issue has become more challenging in recent years as larger school districts expand offerings such as specialty schools geared toward specific subjects and housed in separate buildings, he said.

Additionally, he agreed that charter school options are “stressing the transportation system.”

He said Pennsylvania’s situation is unique in that it requires school districts to provide transportation to students who attend charter schools within 10 miles of district boundaries.

This rule has Durham transporting students who live in the Sto-Rox district, for example, as far away as Hazelwood to attend a charter there, Ms. Woelfal said.

The job of school bus driver requires a special type of person, one who wants to work with children and who can easily adapt to changing rules and regulations put forth by the commonwealth, Mr. Fauss said.

“No matter where you go, everyone is trying to get the best people. We’re always looking for the next best person, and truly, there are not enough to go around,” he said.

Bob Wagner, transportation director with Montour School District, notes that the dedicated bus drivers also accept the financial limitations of the job, which also carries “fulltime expectations with part-time hours.” His drivers clock four to five hours per day, he said. Some pick up lunchtime shifts or work other jobs that can be done outside of the morning and afternoon windows required to transport students.

Mr. Wagner said Montour is set for the coming school year, but he knows three or four drivers will retire soon and he’ll again be recruiting, a process that has become quite the challenge.

“You have to want to do it,” he said of driving a school bus. “Everybody can drive, but not everybody can drive a school bus.”