JCPS holds bus driver hiring event in Louisville, applications still wanted

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Jefferson County Public Schools is searching for more bus drivers amid a shortage.

The state's largest school district held a hiring event on Saturday at Hilton Garden Inn near Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport. Candidates could apply on-site, get a physical and get help with the application.

Carolyn Callahan, JCPS Chief of Communications, said there were people waiting at the door for it to open at 9 a.m.

"It has been really great to see the turnout, we have been extremely impressed, it's been a non-stop flow of people," Callahan said.

Anyone who missed the event on Saturday can still apply to be a JCPS bus driver. To apply to become a JCPS bus driver, click here.

JCPS said the average pay for bus drivers is $55,000 a year with base pay starting at $22.78 an hour, but drivers can earn up to $38.78 an hour with incentives for perfect attendance and driving challenging routes.

JCPS said currently it has 558 drivers but over 563 routes, the district already starts the day underwater. On top of that, JCPS averages 52 drivers absent daily.

JCPS Superintendent Marty Pollio previously said pay is not the problem, "We have aggressively worked on pay increases to the point where our average salary for a bus driver is $55,000 per year, and I hope that is highlighted $55,000 per year. We have a large number of bus drivers who are making over $75,000 a year. We have some that are making in excess of $100,000 a year now."

He said those making six figures are working challenging routes or working additional time with early childhood routes.

JCPS will cover the costs of training and CDL fees. In addition to full-time positions which include morning and afternoon routes, and part-time positions which offer drivers the option to drive only a morning route or only an afternoon route. JCPS also offers substitute-only positions.

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