Full Breakdown
Nationwide School Bus Driver Shortage Persists
9/7/2026, 11:00:01 PM
Core Situation
School districts across the United States continue to grapple with a shortage of qualified bus drivers. Employment remains 9.5 % below 2019 levels, leading many districts to consolidate routes, delay pickups, and extend ride times for students. The shortage is attributed to split-shift schedules and wages that lag behind competing occupations such as trucking, delivery, and seasonal work.
Data & Statistics
- 9.5 % shortfall in driver employment versus 2019 (Economic Policy Institute analysis).
- Inflation-adjusted hourly wages rose 4.2 % over the prior year, yet remain insufficient to attract workers (same analysis).
- East Greenbush Central School District pays drivers about $28 per hour and provides health benefits (Superintendent Kurtis Kotes).
Official Statements & Responses
Hilary Wething, economist at the Economic Policy Institute, emphasized that “the wages are simply too low.” She also warned that the expiration of federal pandemic-relief funding adds budget pressure for districts that must now maintain transportation services with tighter resources.
Superintendent Kurtis Kotes described the operational impact: route consolidations caused late pickups and reduced instructional time. ** Kotes and the interim human-resources director obtained their own commercial driver’s licenses to better understand the role and support staff training.
Recruitment and Retention Measures
To address the gap, East Greenbush held a “bus rodeo” event allowing prospects to practice driving a school bus, resulting in five to eight new hires. The district also offers additional mid-day hours for field trips and custodial tasks, and encourages drivers to take on part-time jobs to supplement income. Kotes completed a five-week training program, earned a Class B CDL with school-bus endorsements, and now fills sports and after-school routes as needed.
Verbatim Quotes
- “The wages are simply too low,” — Hilary Wething, an economist at the Economic Policy Institute
These developments illustrate that higher wages, benefits, and hands-on leadership involvement are being combined with creative recruitment tactics, yet competition for labor remains intense across the nation.
