11 Investigates school bus driver shortage in Western Pennsylvania

There's a serious shortage in Western Pennsylvania for school bus drivers.

Several local school districts, like Fox Chapel, North Hills, Shaler, Seneca Valley and Shadyside Academy all contract work with ABC Transit. The company tells 11 Investigates, sometimes it has trouble finding enough drivers to meet the need, despite having about 400 drivers employed.

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ABC Transit's president Aaron Silverman says extracurricular activities cause that strain.

“When more buses need to be on the road to do sports and athletics, that’s when it becomes really challenging," said Silverman.

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11 Investigates contacted several school districts that are dealing with the same problem. Hempfield Area School District is short on sub drivers. The district's dispatcher, two mechanics and the transportation director are licensed to fill in when needed.

Silverman says in 17 years in the industry, this is the worst he has seen. There's a couple of reasons he thinks are behind it.

"Recently they changed the process to make it much more difficult to get your CDL," said Silverman about the licensing process.

Candidates have to identify parts under the hood of a school bus and troubleshoot specific problems before they do a basic check around the school bus. The company thinks having bus drivers dealing with mechanical problems is not the answer.

"We don’t want the drivers under the hood, we want the drivers to call the mechanic," said ABC Transit vice president Todd O'Shell.

ABC Transit offers close to $20 an hour. They target retired people because it’s a part-time job. Applyins is a rigorous four-week process that includes background checks, physical exams and literature. O'Shell says they've had 50 people apply, but only about 10 percent follow through with the process.

Silverman is a member of the Pennsylvania School Bus Association. The group currently has a legislative committee trying to get the "under the hood" portion of the driver's exam removed. Silverman says that will help applicants focus on the safety specifically attached to the school bus.

Cox Media Group