WC Wisconsin News

Eau Claire Student Transit officials are leaving no stone unturned in hopes of recruiting new drivers to the industry.

Student Transit is now suffering through an actual shortage of drivers, a recent WQOW news report said. Company officials recently held a test-drive event where the goal was to begin the process of recruiting as many as 15 new drivers by the time the new school year commences next fall. Their first-ever “Driving for Drivers” event was an open invite for potential recruits to come and demonstrate their skills.

“The idea was just, we feel like there’s an intimidation factor that people may have when they see the yellow school bus," Jim Fey, Student Transit director of Operations, told WQOW. "The reality is, if you can drive a minivan with your own kids, you can drive a school bus.”

Human Resources Director Jennifer Dewitz can directly relate to the intimidation factor Fey spoke of.

“I’m in HR,” she told WQOW. “That’s my main job, but throughout the past couple years with shortages, I’ve had to step in and sub. I was so scared the first couple of times. I was like, ‘I do not want to drive a school bus route.’ So, something like this where you can come down and calm some of those fears, and then on top of that we have such a great training program.”

On the whole, Dewitz said the process for new drivers starts with an application, followed by interviews and basic screening. From there, it’s a series of ride-alongs and preparation for the written exam. Upon passing the exam, a new driver earns their permit and is assigned to work with a Student Transit trainer.

“Clearly, we need drivers,” Fey said. “We need school bus drivers to get our future great Americans to and from school every day. And so, we are asking for some help from the community. If you’re looking for something to do, a very rewarding job, consider coming down and driving a school bus.”