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Prince George’s County faces a school bus driver shortage likely causing delays as the school year begins.
PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY, Md. — With the school year expected to begin on Tuesday, Prince George’s County Public Schools is already getting off to a rough start.
County officials issued a letter to families on Friday, letting parents and students know that they will be opening the school year facing a school bus driver shortage. So, how will that impact students?
According to officials, these shortages will result in open routes and transportation delays. Drivers will be expected to cover every route; however, families should prepare for longer travel times.
“We want to be clear and transparent with our families from day one,” said interim superintendent Dr. Shawn Joseph. “Your child will get to school safely, but in some cases, it may take longer than planned. Our commitment is to keep families informed so they know what to expect.”
So, how does the county plan to combat this issue? They have laid out a multi-step plan. First, PGCPS will launch a portal with information on open routes and schools where delays are expected. Officials say, it will be updated regularly. PGCPS will also continue using the StopFinder app this fall, while piloting the new Chipmunk app with select families. Chipmunk offers real-time bus tracking, estimated arrival alerts, and improved accuracy. A broader rollout will follow later in the school year.
Secondly, the county will increase wages for transportation staff. Bus driver trainees now earn $20 an hour (up from $18), substitute bus drivers earn $22 an hour (up from $20), and substitute bus attendants earn $16.50 an hour (up from $15.75)
Lastly, when it comes to transportation services, the county is taking more aggressive measures to strengthen and improve the student experience.
- Hiring and onboarding new drivers through a more streamlined process without compromising safety standards.
- Adding tablets to buses to boost routing and GPS accuracy.
- Doubling customer service staff to better support families.
- Expanding contracted services and hiring non-CDL van drivers to cover routes.
PGCPS bus drivers must complete a rigorous six-week onboarding process, including classroom and on-the-road training, safety protocols, and extensive background checks. While this timeline can lengthen how quickly vacancies are filled, the district remains committed to maintaining the highest standards for student safety.
“We know the start of the year will bring challenges, but families can count on us to be transparent, responsive, and focused on solutions,” Dr. Joseph said. “With higher pay and great benefits to attract drivers, as well as new supports for families, we are building a transportation system that will only get stronger as the year goes on.”
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