RSU 21 cancels route due to bus driver shortage: Pick-up, drop-off times impacted

Shawn P. Sullivan, Portsmouth Herald
Updated ·3 min read

KENNEBUNK, Maine — As shortages of bus drivers persist, RSU 21 is shaking up its transportation plan for the rest of the school year.

The changes come amid recent cancellations in bus routes due either to the shortage of drivers or to drivers “calling out,” according to RSU 21 media specialist David Singer.

On April 6, for example, the morning route to the Sanford Regional Technical Center (SRTC) in Sanford was canceled, as the substitute driver who usually helps with that trip was not available. Seven of the 25 RSU 21 students who attend SRTC managed to get there on Friday, Singer said.

A school bus pulls out of the RSU 21 Transportation Office on York Street in Kennebunk during a driver's shortage Jan. 17, 2023.
A school bus pulls out of the RSU 21 Transportation Office on York Street in Kennebunk during a driver's shortage Jan. 17, 2023.

On April 10, Superintendent Terri Cooper announced bus route 32 had been eliminated from the district’s schedule. Students who took Bus 32 have each been reassigned to one of seven other routes.

Pick-up and drop-off times at bus stops have changed for these students, as well, Cooper added. The new route information can be found online at https://mersu21.traversaride360.com.

“The elimination of Bus 32 allows the district to meet our obligations for all routes between school and home,” Cooper said. “Additionally, it builds reserve capacity for the district to better support school-related activities, such as field trips and sports events.”

Previous story: School bus driver shortage impacting RSU 21

RSU 21 is not the only district in Maine and nationally experiencing a shortage of bus drivers. The shortage in the local district is a reversal of fortune, however. Last April, RUS 21 was so well-staffed with drivers that U.S. Education Secretary Miguel Cardona visited Kennebunk and praised the district.

Back in January, RSU 21 Transportation Director Chris Pasciuto said the district started the current school year with the shortage, as drivers left their positions for a variety of reasons, including health issues, job opportunities elsewhere, and even a personnel matter involving a contract. That month, the district held a hiring event, in the hopes of recruiting new bus drivers to the staff. The effort led to five new hires.

“This was no easy feat, given the bus driver hiring challenges being faced by school districts nationwide,” Cooper said.

Chris Pasciuto, Director of Transportation of RSU 21 shows off one of the buses in the school district's fleet and talks about the shortage of drivers.
Chris Pasciuto, Director of Transportation of RSU 21 shows off one of the buses in the school district's fleet and talks about the shortage of drivers.

State licensing requirements take more than three months to complete, so those five new bus drivers will be ready to take the wheel sometime between now and June, according to Singer.

More: Arundel to vet new RSU 21 School Board member in wake of 'hateful' tweets controversy

In addition to hiring new drivers and finding substitutes when necessary, RSU 21 also has been turning to charter buses and other transportation departments, with priorities placed on home-to-school transportation and rides to and from field trips and sporting events.

The district is seeking immediate assistance from any community members who already have a class-B CDL, which includes air brake, passenger and school bus endorsements. There are opportunities for full- and part-time work, according to Singer.

Anyone interested in driving a bus for the district is encouraged to visit the Jobs page on RSU 21's website. The district is offering a $2,500 signing bonus, in addition to the training and benefits that can be expected.

Chris Pasciuto, Director of Transportation of RSU 21 checks the seats of one of the buses following a morning route of one of the drivers. He talks about the shortage they have as well as incentives to bring more people on board.
Chris Pasciuto, Director of Transportation of RSU 21 checks the seats of one of the buses following a morning route of one of the drivers. He talks about the shortage they have as well as incentives to bring more people on board.

In a letter to the community, Cooper explained the shortage has left the district’s transportation department with about 25% of its driving position unfilled at times. The department has mitigated the challenges by turning to substitute drivers when possible. Sometimes, mechanics have driven the buses. Once in a while, even Pasciuto has driven a bus.

Such mitigation is not sustainable, though, Cooper said. She added that there is little room for the district to accommodate sick days and other personal emergencies that current bus drivers may have.

“Please know that we are working to prevent additional disruptions but may not have the resources to overcome certain staff outages,” Cooper said. “Please know that RSU 21 is diligently working to resolve this driver gap.”

This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Bus driver shortage: RSU 21 eliminates route due to lack of drivers