Central Maine School Forced to Cancel Bus Route Due to Driver Shortage

It is becoming more common to hear the term 'staff shortage' when it comes to area businesses. As I recall, there were multiple instances last year where we reported on changes being made to local businesses because of staff challenges. Now, just a few days into the new year, and it's beginning to happen again.

According to WGME 13, the city of Auburn is currently facing a shortage of school bus drivers which has caused the school to temporarily suspend at least one bus route. The news station is reporting that bus route 21 is going to be shut down for the next week.

WGME says that the district has begun its very own training program for new bus drivers, but some of those drivers won't be ready to be on their own for another month or so.

WGME spoke with one Auburn parent who says that without the bus running, she has no way to get her two elementary-age kids to and from school during the day. She says as a result, her kids have missed some class time.

Contracting other buses and bus drivers for the district is not currently an option according to WGME. The Superintendent of the district says that the Auburn drivers have a collective bargaining agreement that prevents them from doing so.