Durham school bus drivers overwhelmed, causing driver shortage and bus route delays

Durham school bus drivers are feeling the impact of the pandemic. Some tell WRAL that people are not showing up to work because they’re overwhelmed or feel unsafe.

This is just one of a few examples of what caused several delayed routes today.

Parents are rushing to get a spot in the carpool line as early as 1 p.m. to get their kids from school at Neal Middle School. It’s a direct impact from those delays.

Parents received a voicemail this morning. It said “Due to a significant number of driver absences, DPS school bus routes will be delayed.”

The alert made parents aware bus schedules would be behind due to a lack of drivers. "Right now, on any given day we’ve got 20 buses that don’t have drivers," said Chip Sudderth, DPS Chief Communication Officer.

Sudderth said an additional eight drivers were absent today for a variety of reasons.

“That’s another eight routes that a bus driver has to go back and do them after completing their own route. So it’s just sort of a domino effect," he added.

A longtime driver spoke with WRAL anonymously. She said the problem runs much deeper than that.

“It’s just to the point where we’re all frustrated. We’re all out there risking our lives. It’s like they don’t care about bus drivers. We’re the lowest on the totem pole," she said.

She described many drivers as feeling overworked and unappreciated. She claims when students get sick, drivers aren’t notified.

“It is our practice to let people know about situations. We contact trace on our buses as well," said Sudderth.

“My bus is loaded to the point where I have kids standing up on my bus. We’re not supposed to be driving like that but, at the same time I have no choice because I have four routes. Morning and afternoon," said the driver.

“People are coming an hour-and-a-half early to get in line," said Don Paschall, who lives near Neal Middle School. He said long carpool lines have caused issues since the traditional school year began a week ago.

“I got caught up in traffic. It took me 45 minutes to go probably 100 yards to get to my house," said Paschall.

DPS is asking parents and staff to be patient. The district is working to fix some of these issues. DPS will hold a job fair on Thursday in an effort to fill those vacant positions.

DPS also has athletic coaches who drive activity buses. They are picking up some of the routes to help out.

You can learn more about DPS hiring incentives and how to apply here.