Like the rest of the nation, Delaware faces a school bus driver shortage. School districts and charter schools have been working hard to recruit new employees, but unfortunately report few new applicants into the field. Bus driver shortages was a challenge prior to the pandemic. Since the pandemic, the shortage has worsened because the average age of our school bus drivers puts them into higher risk categories.

As Delaware’s school districts and charter schools prepare for the 2021-22 school year, local officials report the need for more drivers across the state. This staffing shortage also extends to bus aides, who assist with special transportation requirements for students. Because the timeline for getting school bus drivers properly trained and credentialed is governed by federal and state law and regulations, our school districts and charter schools are feeling intense pressure to hire staff immediately so they have staff ready for the start of the school year.

The Delaware Department of Education (DDOE) has been working with our school district/charter school partners to support them with this challenge. DDOE continued to provide driver and aide training throughout the pandemic. The Delaware Division of Motor Vehicles is also supporting our efforts by scheduling road tests in a timely manner and accepting S endorsements from other states once the school bus drivers meet the Delaware training requirements. The state is also offering a stipend to those who complete the training and become fully licensed.

To attract more candidates, the state has increased bus driver compensation and created additional financial incentives, such as double tier and triple tier allowances to more accurately compensate drivers that service more than one route. DDOE is developing a small group of stakeholders to explore additional opportunities that may help address or alleviate these staffing shortages, and the state’s Public School Transportation Committee is continuing to evaluate the funding formula and other transportation-related issues

The media can help by publicly sharing information on school bus driver/aide requirements.

Qualifications to become a School Bus Drivers
o Must be 18 years or older
o Obtain a CDL
-Individual will have to study the CDL manual and pass knowledge test at DMV to receive permit
-Districts/Employers will provide trainers to teach the skills needed to past the road test at DMV
o Complete a Delaware School Bus Driver Background Check
o Complete Child Protection Registry
o Pre-Employment Drug Testing
o Delaware School Bus Driver Physical (w/tb screening)
o Complete Behind the Wheel Training
o Attend Delaware School Bus Driver Training School 2-day class (Offered in each county monthly)
o Disqualifying Factors
-Not have more than five (5) points (full point value) on the applicant’s three (3) year driving record. NOTE: Recalculated points and the Defensive Driving Course three (3) point credits do not apply to (S) endorsement holders in meeting this requirement.
-Not have had the applicant’s license suspended, revoked or disqualified in this State or any other jurisdiction for moving violations in the last five (5) years. This five (5) year period will begin from the date the suspension, revocation or disqualification has been cleared. Certified driving records from other jurisdictions may be requested from these applicants for the DMV to verify compliance with this section.
-Never been convicted of any crime under the laws of this State or any other jurisdiction as specified in 21 Del.C. §2708(b)(7).

Qualifications to become a School Bus Aide
o Must be 18 years or older
o Attend Delaware School Bus Driver/Aide Training (Offered in each county monthly)
o Complete a Public School Employee background check
o Complete Child Protection Registry
o Pre-Employment Drug Testing
o School Bus Aide Physical (w/TB screening)

Those interested in becoming a School Bus Driver/Aide can contract the DDOE, Transportation Office at (302) 857-3390 or via email DOESchool.Transportation@doe.k12.de.us.

Media contact: Alison May, alison.may@doe.k12.de.us, 302-735-4006

There have been several accidents at school bus stops in the national news lately, a good reminder for us in Delaware to make sure drivers are aware of the rules of the road. School buses are one of the safest forms of transportation on the road, and Delaware drivers can help ensure the safety of our students by paying special attention to school buses. Most of the children who lose their lives in bus-related crashes are pedestrians, many hit by motorists illegally passing stopped buses.  In the spring, Delaware public school bus drivers conducted their eighth annual survey of vehicles illegally passing their buses while they were loading/unloading students with their overhead red lights flashing and lighted STOP arms extended. The survey, conducted on May 4, 2018, included 1,108 bus drivers who reported 572 illegal passes, 8 of which were by the right side of the bus. Almost 300 of the illegal passes (296) were drivers approaching from the rear of the bus. More than half of the illegal passes (294) occurred on the morning bus runs.

The Delaware Department of Education – in partnership with the Delaware Department of Safety and Homeland Security Highway Safety Office, Delaware Department of Transportation and Delaware State Police – reminds vehicle operators of the state’s “Rules of the Road” to keep our children safe when they are getting on or off a school bus: – Bus drivers will turn on the overhead amber flashing lights to give motorists advance notice that they are preparing to stop to pick up or discharge students. – Once stopped, the bus drivers activate the overhead red flashing lights and extend their bus STOP arms. – When a bus is stopped on a two-lane road with the overhead red flashing lights illuminated and STOP arm out, the driver of any vehicle approaching the school bus from the front or the rear of the bus shall stop and remain stopped until the red lights are no longer flashing and the STOP arm is retracted. – On a roadway with four or more lanes, the driver approaching the bus from the front shall not stop. – Drivers should stop far enough from the bus to allow students to safely enter and exit the bus. – Be alert. Children can be unpredictable.

Secretary of Education honors school bus drivers and aides

Families, students and educators are celebrating the bus drivers and bus aides in Delaware who take more than 121,000 students safely to schools each day as part of the 11th annual national Love the Bus program this month.

Governor John Carney issued a proclamation recognizing school bus drivers and aides for their contributions to safe school transportation. Additionally, Secretary of Education Susan Bunting and Superintendent Dan Shelton greeted and thanked school bus drivers and aides after they dropped off students at William Henry Middle School in the Capital School District this morning.

The Love the Bus program, founded in 2007 and coordinated by the American School Bus Council (ASBC), is celebrated on Valentine’s Day, and throughout February, in school communities across the country as a way to raise awareness and appreciation for the hundreds of thousands of school bus drivers who safely transport more than 25 million school children to and from school each day. It is also an opportunity for families and children to learn more about the safety and environmental benefits of school bus transportation. Delawareans are encouraged to share their love online with the hashtag #DElovesthebus.

“The bus drivers and aides who safely transport Delaware’s students to school and back each day have challenging jobs,” Bunting said. “Love the Bus is a great opportunity to thank those who care for our children every day.”

To help celebrate Love the Bus, families, teachers and children are encouraged to visit the program’s Web site, http://www.americanschoolbuscouncil.org to share stories about their favorite bus drivers. Educators also may log on to the site to download an educator’s toolkit, which provides details on incorporating Love The Bus into their lesson plans and offers best practices for communicating about pupil transportation.

Bus drivers receive specialized classroom and behind-the-wheel training in driving a school bus, student loading/unloading procedures, student evacuation, student behavior and security management. All school bus drivers also are required to participate in pre-employment, random and post-accident drug and alcohol testing, frequent driving record checks, and pass periodic medical exams to ensure they are physically qualified. Bus aides receive specialized training to care for those students with special needs.

In addition to the qualified drivers and aides, school buses are, by far, the safest vehicles on the road. Students are about 70 times more likely to get to school safely if they take the school bus versus traveling by car, according to American School Bus Council statistics.

Find photos from today’s event here.

Media contact: Alison May, alison.may@doe.k12.de.us, 302-735-4006

WILMINGTON, Del. – After reviewing customer feedback from three Community Conversations in Wilmington and Newark last week, DART will make a series of improvements. The recent Community Conversations offered DART riders, and the general public, the opportunity to provide feedback and share their experiences since DART’s service changes in mid-December.

“The Community Conversations were intended to present a comfortable forum for our riders to talk one-on-one with DART employees. Staff was able to get meaningful feedback from our customers, and really listen to their specific concerns,” said Delaware Transit CEO, John Sisson. “There were definitely common themes, including the need for more shelters and benches, and restoring a stop at Rodney Square for some routes that pass right by on the way out of town. We’re pleased to be able to address some of the issues sooner, rather than waiting until the May service change.”

The improvements include adding seating at new bus shelters on French St. at 8th St., as well as 10th St. at Tatnall St. In addition, shelters/canopies are being ordered for installation along King Street at 10th St. alongside the library, at 9th and 6th Streets. Beginning this Sunday, February 11, the Rodney Square stop on 10th St. will be restored for service for Routes 2, 6 and 28.

Sisson points out that after restoring service on Routes 2, 6 and 28 next week, there will still be 15 routes serving stops at the square; however, the other route changes will remain in effect and will not be restored to Rodney Square.

“As I have stated before, the success of our state depends in large part on the success of Wilmington,” said Governor Carney. “Rodney Square, which was never intended to serve as a transit hub, can and should be the crown jewel of Wilmington. We must continue the work to revitalize the Square as a historic public park. We’re continuing to make improvements to our transit system that balance the needs of riders and those who use Rodney Square.”

In addition to concerns, several riders offered support to some of the recent changes, including the new route combinations. In addition to relieving congestion on the streets surrounding Rodney Square, by combining some routes, DART is able to offer a one-seat ride, eliminating the need to transfer for those traveling through Wilmington.

Bus Route 4, which was combined with Route 24 and operates between Edgemoor through downtown Wilmington to Prices Corner, has experienced on-time performance issues. Based on actual bus running times, it’s apparent that more time was built into the schedule than what is needed. A revised schedule is being developed with a tentative release date of March 4.

Senator Robert Marshall said, “Bus riders from Wilmington and other places are returning to Rodney Square and new bus shelters and canopies will protect riders from inclement weather. This is a positive first step. John Sisson, DTC CEO, listened to riders and advocates at public meetings and acted in the best interest of DART riders. I view this as a friendly change affirmed by Governor Carney and Cabinet Secretary Cohan with more rider-friendly improvements to our public transit system in the future.”

DART heard concerns regarding other routes, including Routes 13 and 18, that are being reviewed for DART’s May service change. Service proposals will be presented at upcoming Public Hearing Workshops:

Tuesday, March 6, 2018 – 11 AM to 1 PM and 4 PM to 6 PM
Wilmington Public Library, The Commons
10 East 10th Street, Wilmington 19801

Wednesday, March 7, 2018 – 1 PM to 3 PM
Dover Public Library (Multi-Purpose Room A)
35 Loockerman Plaza, Dover, DE 19901

Thursday, March 8, 2018 – 3 PM to 5 PM
Milford Public Library (Lions Club Room A)
11 SE Front Street, Milford, DE 19963

The Delaware Transit Corporation, a subsidiary of the Delaware Department of Transportation (DelDOT), operates DART First State. Real-Time Transit Information is available on the free DelDOT App (iOS and Android), as well as on DART’s Trip Planner at www.DartFirstState.com.

Secretary of Education to honor school bus drivers and aides

Secretary of Education Susan Bunting, joined by Capital School District Superintendent Dan Shelton, will thank bus drivers and bus aides at 7:30 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 13 at William Henry Middle School as part of the state’s celebration of the 11th annual national Love the Bus program this month.

Governor John Carney issued a proclamation recognizing school bus drivers and aides for their contributions to safe school transportation.

The Love the Bus program, founded in 2007 and coordinated by the American School Bus Council (ASBC), is celebrated on Valentine’s Day, and throughout February, in school communities across the country as a way to raise awareness and appreciation for the hundreds of thousands of school bus drivers who safely transport more than 25 million school children to and from school each day. It is also an opportunity for families and children to learn more about the safety and environmental benefits of school bus transportation.

Delawareans are encouraged to share their love online with the hashtag #DElovesthebus.

William Henry Middle School is located at 65 Carver Road in Dover.

Media Contact: Alison May, alison.may@doe.k12.de.us, 302-735-4006