Solution To Bus Driver Shortage: AACPS Suggests Paying Drivers Higher Salary

ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY, MD — Anne Arundel County Public Schools on Wednesday announced a plan to address the ongoing bus driver shortage and the resulting transportation disruptions. Superintendent George Arlotto will ask the board of education for an extra $7.4 million in each year's budget to pay bus drivers and their attendants $5 more per hour. Arlotto also suggested compensating drivers for a full eight-hour workday.

"What we have come up with at this point will not solve the problem overnight, but it will hasten the day when all of our bus routes are covered for all of our students," the superintendent said in a press release.

The request still has to get approval from the school board and the county council. Negotiators would then iron out agreements with the appropriate labor unions.

The deal would take effect this Fiscal Year 2022, which runs from July 1, 2021 through June 30, 2022. The pitch would cover drivers employed by the school system and private contractors. It would additionally reserve:

• $150,000 for $2,000 signing bonuses to attract new bus drivers and attendants
• $2 million for $2,000 retention bonuses for current drivers and attendants to be paid in three installments throughout the school year

AACPS would fund the proposal with American Rescue Plan money sent to the county government. The school system got its own coronavirus stimulus grant, but Arlotto argued that the county should fund the raises.

The superintendent released his plan a day after County Executive Steuart Pittman urged AACPS to pick up the pace.

"Mr. Pittman's statement yesterday that our school system has not been working on a plan to address this issue could not have been more incorrect," Arlotto added. "We have actively been working on a plan, respecting that our bus services are provided by independent vendors and their employees. The County Executive and his administration have, in fact, been part of those ongoing conversations."

Anne Arundel County is not alone in its troubles. The entire nation is facing a shortage of commercial drivers, including those for school buses. The coronavirus pandemic unmasked the problem, causing bus delays and cancellations around the county.

The issue worsened on Monday when multiple Annapolis Bus Company drivers went on strike. The business is one of several bus contractors that work with AACPS, but this particular labor dispute disrupted transportation from Annapolis to Severn.

AACPS posts a daily list of all the affected routes at aacps.org/buses.

Monday's update showed that 40 buses canceled at least some service. On Tuesday, 80 routes supporting 38 schools didn't operate. The situation improved slightly on Wednesday with 22 buses partially or completely down. That number rose to 26 on Thursday.

"Mr. Pittman has said that time is of the essence and that he is ready and eager to help, so I look forward to his full support of this plan," Arlotto concluded.

The county executive cheered the action and wished for a "swift implementation."

"Hallelujah. We now have a proposal that gives hope to our drivers and an incentive for others to join their ranks," Pittman commented. "For our hard-working parents who are the backbone of our local businesses and the kids who are trying to catch up after a year of virtual learning, a safe and reliable school transportation system is essential. We must deliver."

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RELATED:

• Board Of Education To Hold Special Meeting To Consider Bus Driver Incentive Package
• Pittman Urges AACPS To Address Bus Driver Shortage, Plans Forum
• Bus Drivers Go On Strike, Slow School Transportation: Reports

Have a story idea? Please contact me at jacob.baumgart@patch.com with any pitches, tips or questions. Follow me on Twitter @JacobBaumgart and on Facebook @JacobBaumgartJournalist to stay up-to-date with the latest Anne Arundel County and Prince George's County news.