News Summary
The Mat-Su Borough School District faced significant disruptions last week as dozens of school bus routes were canceled due to a persistent driver shortage. Approximately 42 of the district’s daily 550 bus segments were affected, leading to frustration among families who often received late notifications. The driver shortage has been linked to staffing issues, with efforts underway to attract new drivers and address the ongoing challenges in school transportation services across the region.
Mat-Su, Alaska—Major Bus Route Cancellations Due to Driver Shortage
The Mat-Su Borough School District experienced significant disruptions last week, as dozens of school bus routes were canceled amid a persistent driver shortage. The cancellations occurred on Thursday and Friday of the previous week, impacting approximately 42 of the district’s daily 550 bus segments.
Extent of the Disruptions
The district’s transportation system faced cancellations affecting less than 4% of routes. These cancellations were primarily due to driver absences, which the district attributed to ongoing staffing issues. The shortage was linked to both a lack of available drivers and the inability to find enough standby drivers to cover absences.
Causes and Management of the Shortage
The district’s bus contractor, Durham School Services, has been managing transportation since 2022 under a nearly $200 million contract. The driver shortage is partly caused by various factors, including leaves of absence and call-offs. The company indicated that some drivers are returning to work, and new drivers are completing training, leading to an expectation that conditions will improve soon.
Impact on Families and Community Response
Many parents expressed frustration over the late notifications of cancellations, often received just hours before the scheduled pick-up times. This short notice has posed challenges for families in arranging alternative transportation. For example, some parents have had to drive their children themselves or organize carpools to ensure their children reach school safely.
One parent highlighted the significant impact these cancellations have on families’ ability to coordinate work schedules and manage daily routines. Despite the disruptions, district officials confirmed that no further cancellations were reported on the following Monday.
Previous Shortages and Broader Context
The Mat-Su Borough School District previously faced similar issues during August 2022, which also resulted in the cancellation of regular routes at the start of the school year. The strain on transportation has been mirrored in neighboring districts, notably the Anchorage School District.
The Anchorage district launched the school year with a rotating bus schedule, due to their own driver shortages. This system divides bus services into three cohorts, which operate for three weeks before suspending routes for six weeks. Most general education routes are affected by this rotating schedule, though special education routes and students living within 1.5 miles of schools remain unaffected.
Strategies and Challenges in Anchorage
To attract new drivers, the Anchorage School District has introduced an incentive package offering $2,500 for new drivers and $500 for bus attendants during the first semester. Despite these measures, the district still has approximately 375 open positions across various departments, including transportation, highlighting the ongoing staffing challenges.
The district is also exploring alternative solutions, such as encouraging families to drive their children or facilitate carpools, to mitigate transportation issues. However, the situation remains unresolved in the short term, and the transportation system continues to face strain.
Limited Support from State Agencies
The Alaska National Guard was unable to assist with addressing the driver shortage, citing legal constraints that prevent activation for this purpose. Meanwhile, both districts are closely monitoring the situation as they anticipate the return of drivers and completion of new hires’ training to restore full service.
Conclusion
The driver shortage affecting the Mat-Su Borough School District and neighboring districts underscores ongoing challenges in staffing school transportation services across Alaska. While efforts are underway to attract new drivers and improve the situation, the disruptions highlight the need for broader solutions to ensure reliable transportation for students in the region.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Additional Resources
- Alaska’s News Source: Driver Shortage Hits Mat-Su Students
- Wikipedia: School Bus
- Anchorage Daily News: National Guard Unable to Help with Bus Driver Shortage
- Google Search: School Bus Driver Shortage
- School Transportation News: Driver Shortages in Alaska
- Google Scholar: School Bus Driver Shortage
- Anchorage Daily News: ASD Bus Routes Suspension
- Encyclopedia Britannica: School Transportation
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