School Bus Driver Shortage Could Have Big Impact On Denver Public Schools
DENVER (CBS4) – In one week, students in Denver Public Schools will return to the classroom. Yet getting there may be a little for some kids as the district is short on bus drivers. It's not uncommon for schools to be down a few drivers at the start of the new year, but DPS is short at least 50 drivers. That's the worst the district's transportation department says it has seen in years.
"It's an ongoing challenge, but a challenge that's getting worse," Jim Carpenter, DPS Deputy Superintendent of Operations, told CBS4's Kelly Werthmann.
The district is offering hiring incentives and considering increasing wages in an effort make the position more attractive. However, there are concerns the city's vaccine requirement may be making the shortage issue worse.
"On the other side, to the extent the vaccines mean that our drivers are able to keep coming to work every day," Carpenter said. "They don't need to quarantine and they aren't getting significantly sick, then that helps us deliver our services in a more consistent way."
DPS is among many districts around the country facing a bus driver shortage. In Jefferson County, some bus routes have been temporarily taken off the map until they can fill dozens of vacancies.
Carpenter said DPS is not reducing service to its near 220 routes, and it plans to keep it that way.
"We are delivering the same services that we were delivering pre-pandemic," he explained. "Our goal is not to reduce services. We are going to do everything possible to be in that place."
Among the incentives DPS is offering for new drivers is a $1,500 signing bonus which bumps up to $2,000 if you already have a commercial driver's license. To apply, visit: https://careers.dpsk12.org/
