Claystone hosts open house
SEE BEAVER COUNTY CHRONICLE - INSIDE
Your LOCAL Media since 1918! Volume 105 Issue 13
www.tofieldmerc.com
Wednesday, November 23, 2022 s
School Division actively recruiting bus drivers in face of provincial shortage; ‘crisis level’ according to ASBCA Leslie Cholowsky Staff Reporter
The Battle River School Division (BRSD) is, like other divisions across the province, experiencing a shortage of bus drivers. The Alberta School Bus Contractors’ Association (ASBCA) said last week that the provincial shortage has reached a crisis level. “Every day there are fewer busses available and fewer certified operators to drive them,” says Mark Critch, president of the ASBCA. The Association says the major crisis is arising from a shortage of certified drivers. Some areas are reporting 30 per cent fewer drivers than what is needed to provide adequate service to students and families. BRSD Director of Transportation Kristi Edwards says the division has been facing a shortage of bus drivers for quite some time. “The issue started prior to the pandemic, but has been heightened over the past couple of years.” She says, “We have been fortunate to recruit/retain enough drivers to cover all of our 78 regular bus routes, however two of those drivers have not yet been able to access all the training they need, so we are currently relying on spare drivers to cover those two routes. “If a regular driver needs to be away
from their route it can also be a challenge to find spare drivers.” The Association says bus drivers must complete the Alberta Ministry of Transportation’s MELT driver training certification, which ensures that drivers are qualified and competent to drive. The 3-4 week course is mandatory for new drivers, and costs up to $5,000. The ASBCA says part of the issue causing a shortage is the training cost, along with a lack of wages for the time spent training, then the hourly wage paid to drivers afterwards. The ASBCA is asking the province to come up with a solution for an issue that threatens to reduce the overall numbers of drivers available before the situation becomes more serious. “With the shortage of school busses and drivers, Alberta children are being put at serious risk. “If a school bus is late, or worse,
doesn’t show, for whatever reason, kids are being impacted by having to wait outside, in various weather conditions. They are also at risk of losing valuable learning time, which will impact them for years to come.” BRSD Communications Director Diane Hutchinson says, “Our school division recognizes that the training requirements to be a bus driver are rigorous and can be costly. “BRSD is delighted if we can hire someone who has already completed the necessary training, but in reality most people who are being hired do not yet have all of the courses they need.” Edwards says, “BRSD considers it a worthwhile investment to help people hired as bus drivers access the training they need and also covers the cost of training for new bus drivers. “In exchange, we ask that bus drivers commit to staying with us for a
minimum of two years.” The ASBCA says the province needs to reallocate funds “that are desperately needed to fund and assist school bus contractors and their drivers. “Financially incentivize people to consider getting training to become a neighbourhood school bus driver. “Who should be expected to pay $5,000 for a course to certify them for a part-time job paying minimum wage?,” the Association asks. Edwards says, “BRSD is aware that salary can be an issue in the recruitment and retention of bus drivers. The school division is trying to find new or innovative ways to support bus drivers.” BRSD is actively recruiting for bus drivers. Edwards is also part of a subcommittee through the Student Transportation Association of Alberta, working on a solution for driver recruitment and retention.
ADVERTISE ON THE FRONT PAGE! First come, first serve. DISCOUNTS for committing monthly, bi-weekly, or weekly! Call 780-662-4046 or email adsmercury@gmail.com