As Pennsylvania's youth gear up for a new school year, the state's Department of Education is steering attention to the significance of school bus safety and the pressing demand for bus drivers. During a visit to Duncannon's Rohrer Bus facility, education officials used the opportunity to advocate for road safety around school buses and to underline the community importance situated behind the role of school bus drivers.
Acting Secretary of Education Dr. Carrie Rowe reaffirmed the state's commitment to ensuring that students can travel to school safely. "Safe transportation is a critical part of ensuring equitable access to education for students in Pennsylvania," said Rowe, stressing on the department's efforts to revamp outdated policies and regulations. Speakers at the Rohrer Bus tour, as reported by PACast, also called on drivers to fulfill their responsibility by adhering to traffic laws concerning school buses.
Pennsylvania faces a shortage of school bus drivers, a profession that serves as the link between home and classroom for thousands of students across the Commonwealth. According to the Pennsylvania School Bus Association, the journey from aspiring driver to holding the steering wheel of a school bus spans approximately 10 to 12 weeks. This period encapsulates the acquisition of a CDL license, including classroom education, in-bus training, and an array of tests and clearances.
Gerry Wosewick, Executive Director of the PA School Bus Association, highlighted the procedures potential drivers must undertake. It includes clearances, knowledge tests, driving skills tests, and more. David Schrantz, President of Rohrer Bus Services and one of the tour's speakers, provided insights on the operational aspects of school bus services and recruitment challenges Pennsylvania is working to address.
