TULSA, Okla. — Union Public Schools is being forced to cut bus routes amid a bus driver shortage, according to school officials.
The district said it's been affected by the driver shortage for many months and tried route changes, longer drive times, reducing routes and having mechanics, office staff and administrators drive.
"Unfortunately, we have reached a critical point where we are unable to provide bus service for all our students to and from school," the district said.
Beginning on March 31, the buses listed here will not be providing transportation services to or from school on the day listed.
"Due to the current situation, parents/guardians will need to arrange to get their student(s) to and from school on the days listed for the remainder of the school year," read a letter to parents. "If your child attends after-school programming and rides one of the buses listed, bus service will not be provided for after-school programming on the days listed."
The school said it used a random lottery system to determine which day and which routes won't receive service.
2 News' Isabel Flores spoke to Chris Payne, the Chief Communications Officer with Union Public Schools.
He said the district tried to incentivize bus drivers, but it wasn't enough.
“We have increased bus driver pay, at one point we were giving bonuses to people who signed on and stayed for a year, we have combined bus routes, we’ve just done everything under the sun and the bottom line is we just don’t have enough people," he said.
Bibiana Villarruel has a son at Union Public Schools.
She said while she is lucky her son's route hasn't changed, she can't imagine what it will be like for parents whose children's routes have been eliminated.
“I think it will impact the school attendance, definitely, I don’t see why not," she said. "This is going to be a big issue a big problem for parents.”
She also said these changes will end up affecting everyone.
“We only have two months of school left, so it’s gonna be a lot harder on everyone like teachers or school principals," said Villarruel.
Payne said he recommends carpooling to make it easier for children to make it to class.
“I would say make use of your networks within the community, other parents," he said. "Maybe see if there’s a parent available to help get your child to school. It is difficult.”
You can look up yourkid's bus route here.
If you or someone you know is interested in one of our open bus driver positions, click here. Pay starts at $17.65.
Stay in touch with us anytime, anywhere --
- Download our free app for Apple, Android and Kindle devices.
- Sign up for daily newsletters emailed to you
- Like us on Facebook
- Follow us on Instagram
- SUBSCRIBE on YouTube
