Schools

$2K Signing Bonus Offered To Bridgewater School Bus Drivers

A significant shortage of bus drivers has caused the Bridgewater-Raritan Regional School District to​ offer incentives to draw in employees.

A significant shortage of bus drivers has caused the Bridgewater-Raritan Regional School District to​ offer incentives to draw in potential employees.
A significant shortage of bus drivers has caused the Bridgewater-Raritan Regional School District to​ offer incentives to draw in potential employees. (Alexis Tarrazi/Patch)

BRIDGEWATER, NJ — A significant shortage of bus drivers has caused the Bridgewater-Raritan Regional School District to offer incentives to draw in potential employees.

Among those incentives are a $2,000 signing bonuses for hired bus drivers and a competitive salary consistent with the Collective Bargaining Agreement with salaries starting at $26.23 per hour.

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Additionally, the district is offering "excellent health and dental benefits and New Jersey State Pension Plan.

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Positions would start immediately for the 2021-2022 school year and would be for 30 hours per week (6 hours per day contract).

Qualifications needed:

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  1. CDL Class B license with passenger and school endorsements
  2. Certification by a physician that he/she is physically fit to be a school bus driver
  3. A valid bus driver’s license approved by the Department of Law and Public Safety, New Jersey Division of Motor Vehicles, for the size vehicle assigned
  4. Approval by the Office of the County Superintendent following submittal of applicant’s name, address and fingerprints
  5. Such additional qualifications which demonstrate the following characteristics: enjoys working with young people, tact, patience, sensitivity, cooperativeness and high moral standards.
  6. Preferred- Experience with Air Brakes

For more information on the position or to apply click here.

The bus driver shortage, being felt statewide, affected the school district's ability to provide transportation to every student earlier this school year, said Superintendent of Schools Robert Beers in a letter to parents in September.

To remedy this situation, the district changed school schedules in several of the school buildings, which will remain in place for the entire 2021-22 school year.

Districts across New Jersey are experiencing the same issues as they scramble to hire drivers for school buses. Basking Ridge is actively hiring and Edison School District had to cut back on bus routes as a result. Read More: Driver Shortage Forces Edison Schools To Cut Back On Bus Routes

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