School officials in Fulton County, Georgia, are trying to hire 200 bus drivers before the start of the new school year. | 3564156/Pixabay
School officials in Fulton County, Georgia, are trying to hire 200 bus drivers before the start of the new school year. | 3564156/Pixabay
Fulton County officials are warning parents to expect delays at the bus stop at the start of the school year due to a shortage of school bus drivers.
The district confirmed they are missing one-fourth of the bus drivers needed with the start of the new school year just days away, according to Fox 5 Atlanta.
"We have had a driver shortage for some time, but I have never seen it to this depth," Vickie Cross, executive director of transportation for Fulton County Schools, told Fox 5 Atlanta. "What [students] can expect is delays to their bus service, and we will have late buses."
About 200 additional bus drivers are needed, Fox 5 reported. In the wake of the shortage, Fulton County has raised bus driver pay and will offer sign-on and retention bonuses to help fill the openings.
Anyone with a license who can pass a background check is encouraged to apply and will be trained to drive a bus, school officials said. The district is set to resume classes for the new academic year Aug. 8.
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