How to Keep Drivers Happy and Healthy in the New Year

Transportation Management Software, bus scheduling software, school bus scheduling software, school bus management software

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What is your transportation management office doing to keep your bus drivers' morale high?

This question is more important than ever. The school bus driver shortage remains severe, and nothing about 2025 so far suggests that the situation will improve. Recruiting new drivers is harder than ever, which makes it absolutely imperative that you focus on keeping your current drivers happy. If one quits, there's no guarantee you'll be able to replace them any time soon.

So driver morale really should be a focus for your office this year. Here are some measures and policies to consider.

Preventing Bus Driver Lossage In 2025

1 - Better wages / benefits

We realize this isn't in the cards for every district, but at the end of the day, money is going to be the deciding factor for many drivers who quit. If it's at all possible to improve their wages or other guaranteed benefits, this is definitely the time to give them a raise.

2 - Optimize your routes

Another common complaint among bus drivers is that their routes are becoming too long and complicated. In many cases, this is due to route cuts forcing more work onto the remaining drivers, but it's still creating a problem.

If you haven't upgraded your route planning software in a while, take a look at the options available. Many are becoming AI-enhanced, and better than ever at plotting the most optimized routes possible. Reducing your drivers' workload will help convince them to stay on.

3 - Have your drivers' backs

Another oft-cited concern among bus drivers is the level of abuse they're sometimes forced to endure, from students or their parents. Particularly if the administration seems to always side with parents against them.

Your drivers should trust that you will have their backs, and side with them - especially when there's clear evidence to work off of, such as on-bus video recordings of events. Placating parents at the expense of bus drivers is a short-term solution that could lead to long-term disaster.

4 - Survey your drivers for suggestions

When is the last time you sat down and asked your bus drivers "What would make your job easier?" Most drivers will welcome the opportunity to provide real feedback and suggestions for how to improve their experience on the job.

This helps them feel included and heard, especially if you can implement at least a few of their suggestions.

5 - Tablet apps can reduce the burden

Is your driver still having to drive a route from memory, or rely on paper maps? Consider investing in a tablet app which runs during a route. Along with mapping information, it can provide a wealth of other important data, such as keeping lists of which students should be on the bus and whether any are on IEPs.

A good tablet app can be almost as helpful as a second adult on the bus, effectively acting as a co-pilot which can reduce the driver's stress while on the road.

6 - Have parties celebrating the drivers

The 'pizza party' is a stale trope in terms of morale-building, but there's still a nugget of truth in it: parties and events can help workers feel appreciated, when done properly. Be sure your bus drivers are always invited to employee events, even if they're only part-timers, and have at least one event each semester which specifically honors your drivers.

 

BusBoss is here to make your transportation management easier, with a full software suite that streamlines every aspect of your bus system. Contact us to request a free demo!