November 17, 2021 For Immediate Release
Today, Baltimore City Public Schools (City Schools) announced increased efforts to recruit and retain bus drivers. City Schools is increasing the pay of current bus drivers and offering retention bonuses to bus vendors for keeping drivers assigned to the district. The district is also exploring more direct ways to help families that use taxis or ride-sharing services when school buses are not available.
This month, school bus drivers currently employed directly by City Schools will receive a nearly $5 per hour pay increase based on their experience with the district. The pay rate for new drivers will increase by $5, with pay starting at $19.05 per hour. This pay increase is expected to help the district retain its 25 current drivers and fill 36 current vacancies, respectively.
Additionally, City Schools will pay the nine companies that provide yellow bus services a monthly $30 retention bonus for each driver that works for City Schools. This additional funding will also help recruit and retain qualified yellow school bus drivers.
City Schools is planning three job fairs in the coming months and the details will be shared on the district’s website and social media accounts (@baltcityschools).