JCPS hiring blitz aims to bolster fleet of school bus drivers in Louisville

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Jefferson County Public Schools held a hiring blitz Friday, the latest attempt to bolster the district's roster of bus drivers.

The hiring blitz comes amid what's been a tumultuous couple years in JCPS transportation. The district decided cut routes at the start of this school year following last year's high-profile transportation problems.

JCPS reached an agreement last year with the Transit Authority of the River City for TARC to provide drivers who were in jeopardy of being laid off to the school district to help with the shortage of school bus drivers. And just last month, the district was able to restore some of the routes that were cut with the help of the former TARC drivers.

Richard Myers, who showed up Friday to apply to be a driver, said he saw it as an "opportunity" to give back to JCPS.

"The need was really there to help the community and help the children and get them to school," Myers said.

District leaders have simplified these hiring process at the events, where prospective drivers can essentially complete the entire application process. That includes the application and interviews, plus doctors are onsite to conduct physical exams.

Last summer, the district has approved raising the hourly starting rate to $29 an hour. Other monetary incentives include: a $2,000 bonus for new drivers that already have a CDL, a $4,000 bonus for new drivers with a CDL with a school bus endorsement, and increased referral incentive from $200 to $500.

JCPS said there are currently no plans to cut routes next school year. But it would take hundreds of drivers to restore bus service to everyone who lost it. This summer, the Jefferson County School Board will likely vote on what happens to those routes.

For prospective drivers, the district is running classes monthly with anywhere from 20-40 applicants. They're learning to drive the bus and safety protocol while working toward getting a CDL.

The district is hoping for at least 50 new drivers for the 2025-26 school year. But driving a bus is about more than just driving.

"It's one of those positions that is open all the time. It never closes," said JT Henning, a trainer for JCPS. "Calm presence, a lot of patience, and a lot of love to transport our students and make sure they're safe."

JCPS bus drivers earn about $55,000 per year on average. Those who were hired Friday will start taking classes in July right before school starts.

"The children are definitely the future," Myers said Friday. "I think it's very important."

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