SUPERIOR NORTH -- It’s been a tough haul for parents of school aged children these past couple of years.
First, the COVID shutdowns left everyone scrambling for creative ways to teach their children at home. Now that the restrictions are being lifted, getting the kids to the schools has become a problem. One of the biggest barriers for many parents is the cancellation of school bus service. Some students face the challenge of having to travel as far away as 100 or more kilometers from home.
There are a few reasons why a school bus route could potentially be cancelled; inclement weather or mechanical difficulties are the usual disruptions, but lately, COVID-19 is to blame. All drivers must self-screen with the standard COVID questions before boarding the bus. If they have tested positive, have been in close contact with someone who has been diagnosed with COVID-19, or they are suffering from any of the potential symptoms, they must self-isolate, leaving the bus with no driver for the day.
Another reason for the driver shortage is, as is in many industries and services, there seems to be a paradigm shift in which workers are re-thinking their values, career goals and ambitions. They may be missing out on a great opportunity, though, as driving a school bus can be a rewarding, flexible occupation.
“It’s an ideal job if you like working with kids,” surmises Anthony Friedrich, Transportation Coordinator for the East of Thunder Bay Transportation Consortium. “The hours are flexible; it can be a good supplemental income for retirees, or as a part-time or second job. There are other benefits, such as time off during summer, Christmas and March break, and if you’ve got kids of your own, you can bring up to two of them with you on your route!”
It’s not difficult to become a driver. All you need to get the ball rolling is a clean class G license, be over 21 years of age, and be able to pass the standard health, vision and criminal checks. All training is provided at no cost to the driver.
There are 36 school bus routes in the Superior-Greenstone area, bussing 1,300 students to various schools and events, but there’s only 50 qualified drivers. Perhaps you can be number 51.
For more information on how to become a school bus driver, contact the East of Thunder Bay Transportation Consortium at 1-877-853-3833 or visit their website at https://etbtc.on.ca/ They also have a Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/etbtcbus
