Because the begin of the college yr, when post-COVID labor shortages have affected the provision of drivers, the CBE says a number of “revolutionary options” have been supplied to assist mitigate the consequences on college students, together with the creation of extra routes by Calgary Transit, together with service suppliers to higher talk delays to households and make the most of some specialised transport suppliers to serve common routes with smaller ridership.
Nonetheless, the CBE argues that the important thing downside is Alberta Transportation’s bureaucratic delays in highway exams and driver coaching, and is asking the province to extend highway take a look at openings and higher fund teaching programs.
Arjan Slagmolen, regional director of Southland Transportation, which provides the vast majority of yellow college buses to the CBE, agreed there are a number of challenges dealing with common Class 5 drivers who wish to study to drive a faculty bus.
“There are delays in getting the highway take a look at, but additionally in getting sufficient drivers who truly meet the necessities to turn out to be trainers.”
Slagmolen stated bus drivers will need to have at the very least 2,000 hours, or about two years, of driving expertise earlier than they’ll apply to turn out to be trainers. However even those that are skilled are sometimes too busy to decide to driving and coaching on the identical time.
Many Class 5 drivers who obtain their Class 2 licenses are additionally eligible to drive vehicles and vans, and sometimes select these occupations as an alternative.
“We wish to see a selected license class for varsity buses, merely as an endorsement for Class 5 drivers. And we wish to see these 2,000 hours for trainers decreased.”
