WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — The Palm Beach County School District is still trying to find bus drivers during the second half of the school year.
A bus driver told CBS12 News that the present situation makes the job even more stressful. The driver wants to be left alone.
School bus drivers in Palm Beach County and all over the country have more problems than they ever have.
“I thought someone had a gun on my bus twice this year,” the driver said.
The driver says that the lack of bus drivers is making the problem worse.
“Some of these drivers are taking three, three, or two extra runs every day. People want to quit their jobs and leave because of it. “That’s just too much,” the driver said.
Charles Ridley of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU), which represents Palm Beach County bus drivers, says that even though the district is trying to fix the problem by raising pay to $20 an hour, giving drivers a $1,000 signing bonus, and paying drivers while they are being trained, it isn’t enough.
He says that better funding for their area and a better way of working together would help.
“Better communication between bus workers and management. “It’s a lot better, but there are still some things to work on, like making drivers feel appreciated, because they don’t usually feel appreciated,” said Ridley.
Ridley says that these drivers keep showing up and staying loyal despite the problems they face.
“For our drivers, this is more than a job or a calling. it’s what I love doing. “They want to make sure that your children get the best education and are picked up and dropped off in a very safe way,” said Ridley.
