‘Going to be delays’: School bus driver shortage forces changes in North Ridgeville

NORTH RIDGEVILLE , Ohio (WJW) — A bus driver shortage has the North Ridgeville City School District making changes this year that will impact students across the district in one way or another.

“There are going to be delays getting kids to school and home from school,” said Matt Yunker, the district’s director of operations.

Yunker said there are currently seven routes short or down seven drivers, which has forced the district to expand the pick-up radius to 2 miles.

Students who live within 2 miles of school will now have to walk or get dropped off.

An additional 70 kids will be impacted, according Brooke Roshong, the district’s spokesperson.

Those who can still ride the bus could be facing longer days because the district’s 38 drivers will be doubling their runs.

“We’ll have drivers go out to pick kids up starting at 6:30 in the morning and then go back and do their normal run. Conversely, after school, kids might have to wait in the cafeteria as drivers do their normal runs and then come back,” said Yunker.

The district confirmed that some parents are concerned and upset with the situation. However, other families are more understanding.

“I mean, what can you do if you don’t have people applying for the jobs? They can’t invent people to drive them,” said Sue Beitler, whose grandchildren are Rangers.

The district has been and is still actively recruiting applicants.

Yunker made the pitch on FOX 8 News, saying the district offers great benefits, a starting salary of $19 per hour and minimum pay for 6 hours per day “no matter how much they’re working.”

”Even if you’ve never driven a bus, come out and see us. We’ll put you on a bus. It might not be as hard as you think,” said Yunker.

They are hoping the current transportation shortage will be temporary, but in the meantime, drivers should watch out for the extra students walking. Parents should also prepare for longer drop-off times.

“Patience is the name of the game right now,” said Yunker, “Hopefully it’s something we can get rectified. We just need the bodies in place to do that.”

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