BUFFALO, N.Y. — First Student says it is taking a number of steps to get more bus drivers for Buffalo Public Schools.
Parents in the City of Buffalo have complained for a year that there aren't enough buses, drivers, or aides for students at the Buffalo Public Schools, and that kids are constantly dropped off at the wrong place. Parents are even considering legal action over what they say is a transportation crisis in the district.
Five to ten routes per day are unstaffed for Buffalo Schools, leading to routes doubling up or being changed to accommodate all students, according to First Student. The company says it's dealing with a critical nationwide shortage of drivers and that 90 percent of school districts have trouble getting enough of them.
First Student says it's bringing in 15 professional drivers from other areas to fill the shortage. The company will be raising wages and offering new sign-on incentives to keep and attract more drivers. The hourly wage is being increased to a starting wage of $19 an hour for drivers.