Desperate need for school bus drivers in Salinas

“I’ve never seen a shortage like this in the 20 years I’ve been in transportation,” said Salinas City Elementary School District transportation supervisor Richard Enriquez.

The Salinas City Elementary School District busses 1,100 kids a day which is a challenge since the district is seven bus drivers short.

“When something like that happens we have to consolidate routes which increases the amount of passengers per bus, also increases the ride time per student,” said Enriquez.

The district says there are multiple reasons behind the desperate need for more bus drivers.

For starters the position has evolved into a part time job.

“People today are looking for full time employment,” said Enriquez. “They want to work eight hours a day, they want to have medical benefits adequate for the type of job they’re doing.”

Other deterrents include the lengthy and expensive hiring process, required training and dealing with student’s behavioral issues.

“The kids are pretty crazy but you know what I mean you get used to them,” said school bus driver Corina Rarang. “You just need to like understand them and just be patient, you have to have a lot of patience.”

To attract more applicants the school district is trying to increase the starting pay of $13.62 by at least a dollar.

“It should be at least compatible to the surrounding districts, we should be at least compatible to our competing districts,” said Enriquez.

For a career, drivers believe it can be very rewarding.

“They’re the first person you see in the morning so when you say good morning to them it’s kind of like you make their day.”

Other local school districts tell KION they are hosting recruitment events, trying to increase benefits as well as offer sign on bonuses and training to get more bus drivers through the doors.