Commercial driving school trying to help “close the gap” on bus driver shortage

HONOLULU (KHON2) — The Department of Education has cited a lack of bus drivers as the primary reason for suspending some school bus routes this year. But for one commercial school, it’s not because of a lack of trying.

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Richard Hoapili has been running Professional Driving Academy for about eight years now. But he only recently got this school bus in his fleet.

“Kinda close that gap,” said Hoapili. “Get drivers out there to help support the kids and get them to school safely.”

That gap is currently 84 routes, approximately 1,700 public school students, on three islands still without bus service. It’s what brought David Low to PDA.

“That’s all new to me, I’m a welder,” said Low.

According to the Department of Education, the number of bus drivers has dropped consistently over the last several years. With more than 650 at the start of 2018, to just 436 this school year.

“The children are important they gotta get to school,” said Low. “And being a part of just helping them out.”

Hoapili says COVID caused a lot of drivers to rethink their professional careers.

“They created their own jobs. Now they don’t have to really work for anybody else,” said Hoapili. “They doing self-employment. That’s where, they lost a lot of drivers.”

School bus drivers work a split shift – usually 2 hours in the morning and 2 in the afternoon – which Hoapili said is another deterrent.

Hoapili said driving a school bus is actually a lot easier than driving one of the big rigs. The main difference – automatic transmission so no need to shift gears and once you’re permitted, he can get you fully licensed in less than a month.

“All depends on the person,” said Hoapili. “Some people they can catch on quick, some people take a little bit longer, but we work with everybody the best way we can.”

Commercial driving school costs several thousand dollars. But PDA works with 5 non-profits. And through grants, many drivers can get their CDL basically for free.

“That’s the whole reason why I’m doing it is try and help out the kids,” said Hoapili. “Train some good drivers, get em out there in the working force and get the kids home safe. That’s our main priority.”