MST works to alleviate bus driver shortage
UPDATE 5/19/17 6:00 p.m.: Zabihullah Miyakhail and his family recently moved to Seaside from Afghanistan. He works part time at Goodwill and said he wants another job.
“I need more time and more money to support my family,” Miyakhail said.
But Miyakhail is new to this country and said a full-time gig has been difficult to come by.
He was a driver before coming to the United States and wanted to put his skills to work.
On Friday, Miyakhail was of 25 people who took a test at the Montery-Salinas Transit’s job fair
“(There were) questions like how do you work closely with your supervisors? How is your knowledge and how do you do with the peoples?,” Miyakhail said in broken English.
MST is looking for a dozen new drivers as their weekend service in Big Sur expands to seven days a week for the summer. It also plans to have buses run more often along the busy Highway 101 corridor.
“We’ve experienced ridership growth consistently in the south county communities, both regionally between south county and Salinas and also in between the cities themselves,” said MST CEO Carol Sedoryk.
Even though MST doesn’t require driving experience, hiring has been a big challenge.
“In December, we had a job fair where we attracted 25 people and in the end we were only able to bring one of them in,” Sedoryk said.
In order to get on board, drivers need to have a clean record, pass a written exam and a drug test. MST said applicants sometimes just stop showing up during the process. But Miyakhail said he can do it.
“I’m ready, always,” Miyakhail said. “Because in the past 22 years, I (drove). I’m ready for that.”
Coach drivers get $15 dollars an hour during training and $21.64 after they complete training.
PREVIOUS STORY: On Friday, Monterey County’s Workforce Investment Board and Monterey Salinas Transit held a job fair for bus drivers.
MST officials say drivers are needed to alleviate a current driver shortage as the agency is starting to expand its summer service to Big Sur.
“Bus and shuttle service drivers are critical to businesses in both the open and isolated areas of Big Sur for tourism,” explains Monterey County 5th District Supervisor Mary Adams. “They also provide transportation for workers who will be re-employed at the many Big Sur destinations as the summer tourist season begins.”
Bus drivers with experience are especially desired, but if you don’t have experience driving a bus, paid training is available. Mechanics are wanted with one year of experience. Electrical technician are also being sought; two years of education equivalent or an A.S. degree or experience are required.
Applicants should bring their driver’s license and current DMV record to include with your application. Those interested can apply online on the Monterey Salinas Transit website
KION’S Linda Zhang will have the full story at 6 p.m.
