There have been many complaints recently about the quality of bus drivers in Lakewood. Numerous harrowing stories have been told by parents, and there was the now-infamous incident in which a bus driver reportedly tried cutting off a vehicle, lost control, and wound up on top of several parked vehicles.
The problem, many say, is due to a severe bus driver shortage affecting not only Lakewood, but the entire New Jersey. And Governor Murphy won’t rule out the option of calling in the National Guard to help drive buses to ease the shortage in the state.
“I don’t think we, at this moment, need to do what Massachusetts did with the National Guard. That’s an option we certainly could look at” Murphy said. “I think all options are on the table including anything we can do with the MVC” to expedite bus driver permits.
Massachusetts, which is also facing a severe bus driver shortage, has made up to 250 National Guardsmen available to drive buses in certain districts facing shortages.
Governor Murphy also acknowledged that any attempt to hire more bus drivers must “preserve safety” and ensure that they are responsible drivers.
“We have to make sure in our striving to get to full capacity, we don’t compromise safety,” Murphy said.
National guard costs money!!!
Pay higher salaries to bus drivers and you wouldn’t have a shortage.
How much does the National Guard cost?
It’s free…. just like the $3.5 Trillion they are spending how. The money comes from thin air. The millionaires (i.e. those earning more than allows them to be on all the free programs) will happily pay for it until we take enough from them that they need to be on all the programs (or just want to be).
HE must be up for election and seeking votes
Our schools should have their own buses with heimishe drivers. Funding should come from same source as bussing has now.
YES!! YES!! YES!!! Schools can do it if they are determined to!!!!! E/o shld pick up the phone and encourage their own schools!!!!!!!
The National Guard will do a superior job in transporting children safely. They’ll also have a better regard for driving rules and regulations. Yes, it costs $$$, Traffic accidents also cost money.
my husband is a heimish, local bus driver (private bussing). He is an extremely safe, careful driver, and very friendly and pleasant personality. kids and parents alike love having him year after year.
He is looking to go into another field, as driving isn’t paying him enough, even with many routes a day and additional side job between morning and afternoon routes.
If they’d take the money and raise all drivers, we’d have more upstanding, trustworthy drivers here. But the good ones are all stopping slowly, as it’s not a well paying job.
And there are many more like him.