A Lamers school bus (Lamers)
(WTAQ-WLUK) — With less than three weeks until the new school year starts, many Northeast Wisconsin school districts are still looking for bus drivers.
“Finding bus drivers has been a challenge for many years,” said Alex Eisch of Lamers Fox Cities.
Lamers Fox Cities primarily serves Appleton, Menasha and Kimberly, but Lamers is also looking for drivers in the Green Bay school district and surrounding areas.
“Typically, school year to school year, we need about 150,” said Eisch.
That’s just for the Fox Cities. Most of their positions have been filled, but not all.
“We’re probably a good 10 to 15 short,” said Eisch.
If your district is facing a shortage of school bus drivers, your child will still have a ride to school. Worst-case scenario, route times will be extended to compensate for the shortage, and other staff will have to chip in to ensure there are enough drivers.
“Our office staff, our mechanics and some help from other terminals. We all work together to make sure the job gets done,” said Eisch.
Down in Neenah, Kobussen needs to find about 60 drivers each school year for that district alone. The company also serves Oshkosh and Kaukauna.
“We’re doing much better this year than we were last year,” said Roger Cutts from Kobussen Neenah.
For both companies, hourly pay starts in the low-$20s. Drivers work about two hours in the morning and two in the afternoon, but the unique schedule has some appeal.
“I get retired people, I get stay-at-home moms and dads,” said Cutts. “It’s a wide variety.”
Rather than find childcare, parents can drive and take their kids on the bus with them.
“What makes a good bus driver is somebody that’s willing to learn, open to criticism, striving for safety,” said Eisch. “Safety is always number one.”
You have to be at least 21 years old and have a pretty clean driving record. Both companies will help drivers get their CDL, and within about three weeks, you can be on the road helping students and earning a few bucks while you’re at it.
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