Bus Driver Shortage Improving: All AACPS Routes Will Be Staffed This Year

ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY, MD - Families may soon get some relief from a school bus driver shortage that's disrupted commutes since students returned to in-person classes.

Anne Arundel County Public Schools just filled its last remaining bus driver vacancy. AACPS still needs to hire one more alternate driver for smaller transport vans, however.

This is the first time since 2021 that AACPS expects to start the school year with a fully staffed bus system, The Capital reported.

"The fact that every route is covered does not mean that our work is over," AACPS spokesperson Bob Mosier told WBAL. "We now need to continue to build that bench of bus drivers so when bus drivers call out sick, we don't have to take routes down for the day."

WBAL also reported that bus drivers collected back-to-back 10% cost of living pay raises and a workforce development bonus from the county.

This time last year, there were 67 driver vacancies. 

That forced families to check this list daily to see if their route had a driver. When there wasn't a driver, families had to figure out a different way to get their kids to school.

AACPS implemented alternate transportation methods to reduce some of these challenges. 

Superintendent Mark Bedell pointed to the smaller transportation vans as an example. These van drivers don't need a commercial license. That let AACPS replace some buses with vans to free up commercial drivers for routes with a greater need.

"It was a big problem last year," Bedell told WJZ. "But we also initiated this alternative vehicle model to transport students where we are now utilizing vans ... Just starting off in a much better position from a staffing standpoint will allow for us to open up this school year with high morale."

There are currently 62 bus drivers and nine alternative vehicle drivers in training.

Anne Arundel County has also improved its vacancy numbers for these other school jobs:

• Teachers: 191 vacancies (311 last year)
• Crossing Guards: 41 vacancies (57 last year)
• Food Service Workers: 94 vacancies (227 last year)
• Custodians: 25 vacancies (87 last year)
• Athletic Trainers: Two vacancies (Five last year)

The latest staffing update is posted here. Interested applicants can apply at aacps.org/joinourteam.

AACPS students start class the week of Monday, Aug. 28. The first day varies by grade. The school calendar is viewable at this link.

Bus schedules and disruptions are available here.

School supply lists are posted at aacps.org/schoolsupplies.

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