New York State May Call In National Guard For Bus Driver Shortage Action

With the school year now in full swing, state and federal leaders are facing increasing pressure to take action in hopes of finding a solution for the current bus driver shortage. Currently, in every corner of the state, district leaders and bus companies have been scrambling to find ways to transport more than 2 million students to and from school and extracurricular activities each day. They are frantically trying to recruit and train new drivers while existing drivers pick up extra routes and longer days. New York is home to about 700 school districts. Many of these districts contract with private busing companies to get students to school, athletic events, and other extracurriculars.

Now, lawmakers are asking Governor Kathy Hochul to summon the National Guard, an action that Hochul’s office says is “outside the current scope” of the force’s duty. Assemblyman Michael Lawler stated: “The last thing any family should have to worry about on the first day of school is whether or not the bus will show up in the morning to pick up their child. And for far too many families across New York state, the lack of bus drivers is causing serious headaches and problems.”

Source: Democrat and Chronicle