Solving Driver Shortages

Private schools often have issues finding qualified drivers for their busses.  There simply are not enough trained drivers and where there are, they are expensive to hire.  But transportation is an essential function for these private schools since they impact revenue through tuition, so they must continue to offer transportation services.  Therefore, the transportation department is more of a profit center than simply a cost center.

But solving this issue can have less to do with the driver, than the vehicle.  Finding and training drivers for vans is easier and far less expensive.  And, the van itself is much less expensive to operate than a bus.  In addition, vans provide a better option for remote students.  Picking up 8-10 students per van in outlying areas does not require a huge bus.  The operating profit for these students is much higher.  Plus, because the school is not trying to fill up a bus each morning and afternoon, student transportation time is much less as well.  The van offers much greater flexibility.

But private schools don’t know where to start in this process.  Choosing a provider that understands the needs of private school transportation can make a huge difference.  A provider that specializes in leasing specially equipped vans for safety, offers driver training and also driver monitoring, route optimization and then will be responsible for van maintenance and replacement if needed can be a valuable service.  Also, this provider should be able to offer the van lease for less than the school can lease the van for directly from a dealer since the provider will use the vans for other purposes *like family vacations) when the school is not using them.

There are plenty of people who can be trained to drive the vans.  Drivers are already part of the school community like:

  • Parents / guardians
  • Retirees
  • Local college students
  • School staff

A van driver training program is also essential for this strategy.  Van Training Program Includes the Following:

  • Online defensive driving course (~2 hours)
  • In class / Zoom instructor led course (~2 hours)
  • Individual driver assessment on public road course near school (~1 hour)

Monitoring is performed on a continuous basis and will alert the transportation director of dangerous driving

The benefits to the private school are immediate and impactful and include:

  • Reduced recruitment costs
  • Shortened training times
  • Fosters a more connected and trusted transportation network
  • Shorter commute times for students
  • Flexibility to use the vans for other activities like sports team transportation, field trips and other activities where a bus is overkill.

To learn more about how to eliminate the driver shortage for busses in your school. Please contact us.