NEW YORK – New York is taking steps to address the growing shortage of school bus drivers across the state.
Governor Kathy Hochul announced several short-term and long-term initiatives on Sunday, including opening new test sites for commercial driver’s license applicants, streamlining the testing and permitting process, and conducting outreach activities for law enforcement. law enforcement, firefighters, the military, and other organizations that already have trained drivers.
A study by the New York Student Transportation Association two years ago found that eight in 10 school transportation directors viewed driver shortages as a major concern, and the COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated the problem.
Lack of drivers can lead to late arrivals and departures and cancellation of excursions and other extracurricular activities.
“Our schools and public health officials have moved mountains to ensure our children receive an in-person education this year, and we leave no stone unturned to ensure that schools have adequate bus service to get students to and from school. and come back, ”Hochul said in a statement.
The state is reaching more than half a million existing commercial driver’s license holders in the state, including those who are currently unemployed, Hochul said. The Department of Motor Vehicles will eliminate the 14-day waiting period between the permit test and the driving test, and the county-run DMV facilities will increase the capacity to administer the written and driving tests.
School personnel who hold a business license may temporarily obtain a van and bus permit. Hochul also urged school districts to use incentives like signing and retention bonuses to hire and retain bus drivers, and said federal funds can be used for those purposes. Many school districts receive a significant percentage of these funds as reimbursement from the state and are in a position to offer a more competitive payment without absorbing the full cost locally.
“While the school bus driver shortage is not unique to New York State, I have directed state agencies to use creative approaches and use all the tools at their disposal to help districts affected by the bus driver shortage. , so that we can bring in as many bus drivers as quickly as possible, “said the governor.
Those who are interested in obtaining a commercial driver’s license can find information here.
The State is opening up new CDL driver testing sites by partnering with SUNY, the Thruway Authority, the New York Racing Association, and the Office of General Service to use large batches at its various sites for road testing. For school personnel who currently have a commercial driver’s license, the State will establish accelerated tests to obtain a permit to drive trucks and buses temporarily.
The State continues discussions with stakeholders to identify longer-term strategies that will help recruit and retain school bus drivers. This includes seeking alternative licensing entities and expanded partnerships with other state agencies to help train and recruit drivers.
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