What happens if there aren't enough school bus drivers? What to know in Louisiana

There is a significant shortage of bus drivers in the U.S., which is affecting school transportation.

It's also happening right here in Louisiana.

Many states, and the school districts within them, are facing severe shortages, with some routes having to be cut and some students having to rely on alternative transportation methods.

This shortage has led to disruptions in school schedules and increased student absences, as many students rely on school busses for transportation.

Is there a shortage of bus drivers in Louisiana?

Louisiana, like many other states, is experiencing a shortage of bus drivers, which is impacting various school districts throughout the state.

This shortage has led to a number of challenges in providing consistent and reliable transportation, with some routes being delayed, school days being shortened and even canceled classes in some circumstances, according to Education Week.

This shortage is also impacting school staff and students' families, as school staff may be asked to fill in for bus drivers and families may experience stress if school busses are relied upon.

While the bus driver shortage was made worse by the COVID-19 pandemic, other factors like low pay, difficulty obtaining a CDL, retirement and career change, as well as long hours and part-time nature of the job have contributed to the shortage.

As of September 2024, there were 12.2% fewer school bus drivers in the U.S. than in September 2019, according to Economic Policy Institute.

One of the key issues perpetuating bus driver shortages is low pay, with the median school bus driver earning 43% less than the median weekly wage for all workers and weekly earnings for bus drivers declining 2.8% since 2019, says the Economic Policy Institute.

What is HopSkipDrive? Alternative transportation in Louisiana

In order to help Louisiana combat its transportation challenges, HopSkipDrive is a network of highly vetted caregivers that can provide a supplement to traditional school busses, says HopSkipDrive.

HopSkipDrive supports over 10,000 schools nationwide, particularly students experiencing homelessness, in foster care or with Individualized Education Programs.

HopSkipDrive operates as a network of small vehicles with driver availability, and the drivers selected are highly vetted individuals, with many being parents, grandparents, former teachers, baby sitters and more.

HopSkipDrive's "Safe Ride Technology" enables communication and visibility into who the driver is, as well as real-time ride tracking for all parties involved.

Presley Bo Tyler is a reporter for the Louisiana Deep South Connect Team for Gannett/USA Today. Find her on X @PresleyTyler02 and email at [email protected]

This article originally appeared on Shreveport Times: Is there a bus driver shortage in Louisiana? Here's what to know