It’s a skeleton crew when it comes down to the USD 460 bus driver situation, and the problem doesn’t just exist in Hesston, but rather across the state. With very few bus drivers, the USD 460 transportation crew is stretched to the thinnest of levels. This lack of drivers forced the district to eliminate the in-town school bus routes. “A few parent emails had some concern,” Superintendent Kevin Logan said. “It’s a change and there’s not an easy solution for us, unless we can find a driver. There is a lot of emotion because it’s a change.” One driver would fill in routes much like USD 460 had a year ago, but it’s not a full solution. This problem is plaguing districts. A driver has to have a CDL with passenger endorsement and districts, including Hesston, would actively take applications. For more information along with the list of requirements, interested parties can contact the transportation department of USD 460. “Right now we should be good on activity drivers,” Logan said. Ideally, Logan said two to three drivers could split the morning and afternoon routes, too. “We can share routes, as long as people are licensed and willing to learn and to be good to kids and have their best interests at heart,” Logan said. Logan was going to be part of a Zoom meeting with Safe Routes to Schools to see if routes for children were ideally safe for children walking to school or if Safe Routes could give options for walkers and bike riders but a time had not be finalized. He was looking forward to learning more about the rubrics of the safest routes to school.
Source: Harvey County Now
