INDIANAPOLIS — Washington Township, faced with a growing school bus driver shortage, is turning to longer routes and route changes to combat the issue.
According to the township, there is a need for 30 drivers to fulfill their need to have efficient and optimal routes for their school buses.
"I just want them to do better, I have been living in this district for years and this is the worst I have seen it been since I've been here," parent Latrice Owens said. "It's horrible because if my daughter catches the bus home and she has to work, she's not going to get to work on time."
Presently, the township has just 85 drivers and needs 115 to reach their goals. Since August 2022, the township claims to have lost 19 drivers due to a myriad of reasons.
Due to the shortage, Washington Township students are being forced into longer bus rides to and from school and the transportation department as a whole is faced with combining routes to make sure children make it to school on time.
Some parents told WRTV they've waited 40 minutes to an hour for the bus.
"I want a school year to come that where transportation is not an issue that we're having," Shawnta Barnes, who has twins in the district, said. "None of this is ideal but my question as a parent is what can we do to get bus drivers into Washington Township? Why do we still have bus drivers calling out of work? What is happening with the culture that is allowing that to still occur?
Moving forward, the township says they're are working on plans to make longer routes a more permanent thing as they cannot continue to plan on having their full 115 driver fleet.
The district says they aren't looking to change the order school's start, but they are looking into making the time between start times longer to give drivers more time to pick and drop off kids .
Right now it goes elementary school, high school, then middle school.
Still, the township is hopeful more will consider becoming a driver for them. They offer the third highest compensation for bus drivers in Marion County.
If you or someone you know is interested in becoming a bus driver, bus assistant, or garage technician, you can apply here.
-
Serena Williams loses in her 1st singles match in nearly 4 years
Serena Williams showed plenty of what made her a 23-time Grand Slam tennis champion in her first professional singles match in nearly four years on Tuesday.
LeBron James not returning to Lakers, plans to play 24th season elsewhere
LeBron James is leaving the Los Angeles Lakers. He has told the Lakers that his eight-year run with them is over and that he'll play a record-extending 24th NBA season elsewhere.
Fire responders say Marion County has seen an uptick of drownings this year.
This year, Marion County has already seen nine fatal drownings and three non-fatal drownings, where people were successfully resuscitated. First responders call it an astounding number. Last year, the county had six.
IMPD: 2024 murder suspect arrested in Texas
Two years after a fatal shooting at a downtown apartment complex, Indianapolis police say a suspect has been charged and arrested in Texas.
