By Greg Halbleib
NORMAL – Unit 5 Superintendent Mark Daniel says there’s light at the end of the bus delay tunnel.
Daniel said he expects most issues to be alleviated within two weeks as drivers are being trained and put into service by district transportation provider First Student to overcome shortages. Daniel said the district has shown that the new routes and schedules are not the problem.
“A week ago last Friday we had enough drivers because they were able to borrow some drivers from Springfield and Bartonville–Springfield didn’t have school that day,” Daniel told WJBC’s Scott Laughlin. “Sure enough, we only had two buses that I would call late late.”
Daniel says those delays were due to normal situations, including railroad crossing and a student discipline issue.
“That you understand, but to have the driver shortage that we have today, that I don’t understand,” Daniel said.
The superintendent said the drivers’ union reached a contract agreement with First Student Monday night, which could help with driver availability. Daniel said he’s encouraged coaches and sponsors to obtain certification to drive to help keep teams from leaving early for events due to driver shortages.
The Unit 5 board gave First Student until Nov. 1 to correct the bus problems or risk termination of the contract at the end of the current school year.
Greg Halbleib can be reached at greg@wjbc.com.
