LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Jefferson County Public Schools, like so many other districts across the nation, is facing a bus driver shortage.
That's one of the reasons why JCPS is hosting a "Bus Driver Hiring Blitz" this weekend.
According to JCPS Spokesperson Carolyn Callahan, JCPS currently has approximately 575 drivers to drive a little more than 550 routes every day. She says, however, that's not enough drivers.
"We are starting the day with a deficit of 40+ drivers who are calling out each day. So we are always starting every day with fewer drivers than we have routes," Callahan said.
Callahan said rather than cancelling bus routes every day, the district instead has bus drivers do their routes then circle back and do the routes of the drivers who called out that day.
The JCPS Bus Driver Hiring Blitz is on Saturday, Feb. 10 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Hilton Garden Inn Louisville Airport on Crittenden Drive.
JCPS officials are calling the hiring event a "one-stop shop." There will be bus drivers at the blitz for prospective candidates to ask questions to, a human resources team to help people with the application process, translators who can help multilingual applicants, and Department of Transportation (DOT) physicals and interviews will be done on sight.
"The average pay for our bus drivers is $55,000 there is a lot of opportunity for advancement and to boost that salary as well. We have drivers who are making more than $75,000 a year," Callahan said.
If you're interested in becoming a JCPS bus driver and want to learn more, click here.
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