WAPS Looking for Bus Drivers Amid Shortage

WINONA, Minn. (KWNO)-School districts across the country are dealing with a shortage of school bus drivers.  

“We’re working on trying to hire drivers,” Winona Area Public Schools (WAPS) Transportation Coordinator Casey Indra told KWNO. “The drivers we got are doing a great job but when you’re running darn near 40 routes and after-school activities it takes a small army to do it.”  

Indra says required qualifications make it difficult to quickly hire bus drivers. He says when there is a shortage First Students, WAPS bussing partner, can bring drivers from other areas in the region to Winona to help out.  

Indra says overall the driver shortage has not inhibited the district’s ability to transport students to and from school and to bus them to and from activities. Indra says that’s not the case in other districts. 

“I think we’re in a lot better shape than other districts are,” said Indra. “I’ve heard some districts say ‘nope there’s not after school busing at all until we can get more bussing.’”  

First Student is hiring bus drivers. More information can be found by clicking here.