Princeton Schools Hikes Bus Driver Pay, Adds Benefits To Stem Shortage

PRINCETON, NJ — Schools districts across the country are struggling to staff routes amid a national bus driver shortage.

The effects are being felt at Princeton Public Schools as well. In an effort to attract more drivers, the district has increased the hourly bus driver pay.

Beginning Tuesday, the starting salary for bus drivers went up from $27.50 an hour to $30 an hour. Transportation assistants will be paid a prorated salary of $53,726 this year, the school district said.

Bus drivers will now be eligible for family health benefits. Previously the position included “single” health benefits. The family health benefits will be available as long as the employee works a minimum of 30 hours per week, which is legally required to qualify for health insurance, the district said.

Most bus drivers work a minimum of six hours a day, Monday to Friday and some work for up to eight hours a day.

Currently, the district has 25 driver and 28 bus routes, with two staff members covering routes when needed.

“PPS continues to hire drivers for open routes. Until more drivers are hired, our staff will continue doubling up on routes when needed,” the district said.

PPS is looking to hire four to five new drivers.

Across the country, districts are improvising amid the national bus driver shortage, which has been exacerbated due to the labor crisis fueled by the COVID-19 pandemic, childcare challenges and other issues.

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