School bus driver shortage in Durham means delayed or canceled routes for 4,000 students

Durham Public Schools said as many as 24 buses could be either delayed or out of service Tuesday. The interruption to service is due to an anticipated driver shortage, something DPS, Wake County Public Schools and other districts have been dealing with over the past year.

Chip Sudderth with DPS told WRAL News the district has contacted nearly 4,000 families that will possibly be dealing with a delay or cancelation Tuesday.

"We encourage families to arrange alternative transportation for tomorrow as a precaution," said DPS in a statement.

Sudderth told WRAL News there is incredible competition for bus drivers, and the district is offering bonuses to encourage drivers to work for them. DPS has one of the highest bus driver salaries in the area, with a starting salary between $16.25 and $17 and veteran bus drivers with 30 years of experience making between $20.50 and $24.

Sudderth said DPS is constantly looking for substitute bus drivers to assist with routes, but there's little they can do when drivers call out last minute. The district is also trying to narrow down the bus routes so they will need fewer drivers.

Parents can track their child's bus using the Here Comes the Bus app.

Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools also announced five bus routes impacting 10 schools will not have a driver on Tuesday morning:

The routes include: