Districts are still dealing with a shortage of bus drivers just before school is set to begin.
Robin Hansen, with First Bus, says she has never needed to hire this many drivers in her many years of working in the transportation sector.
Many older drivers decided to retire when the pandemic struck in districts all over the country.
The incentives for working for First Bus include:
Starting pay: $21.36/hour
$3,000 sign-on bonus for fully credentialed drivers
$1,500 sign-on bonus for non-CDL holders
Paid CDL training with one year employment commitment
Additional hours available
No evenings or weekends
The company has just enough drivers for the Syracuse City School District which is made up of 160 bus runs, but need ten more for sick leave and time off.
Hiring during school takes much longer than when school is nor in session.
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