As Ocean City bus drivers lower the buses for more passengers — the number of drivers is low as well.
Mayor Rick Meehan says the resort town knew it would face a shortage after COVID — but not this bad.
“What we didn’t realize was the ultimate difficulty we were going to have,” said Mayor Meehan.
Two years ago they had something like 130 drivers on the routes, 62 during COVID, but now only 42.
So an emergency meeting was called during Monday’s town council meeting.
“We made a recommendation to the council that we raise the salary for those drivers that have CDL licenses with and able to transport passengers on the fixed route on Coastal Highway and for the Park and Ride, that we raise that salary to $19.87 an hour,” said Mayor Meehan.
That is up from $15.60 an hour.
That article was published 2 days ago when they had 5 days before the Air Show to hire drivers. Now, they are down to 2 days (drug screening, training, employment processing, etc). Maybe they plan on sending letters out because my phone has yet to receive a call from anyone at Ocean City.
The Town has known that the COVID phenomina would come to an end for a YEAR and NOBODY planned for it. Managing a business by committee is known for doing things like this. The members of Ocean City’s “Transportation Committee” are not held accountable to succeed. Aside from seasonal workers, I believe there is only one full time Transportation manager left so they can’t fire him.
Lastly, take note that the sudden increase in pay is only temporary (until October) and maybe only for new hires.
“Mayor Rick Meehan says the resort town knew it would face a shortage after COVID — but not this bad.
“What we didn’t realize was the ultimate difficulty we were going to have,” said Mayor Meehan.”
A Mayor, Town Manager, Council, Transportation Management, and Public Works Management did not realize the pickle they are in? Really?
they should be paid more per hour for seasons temporary part time jobs.
everyone else is price gouging.
restaurants, stores, hotels.
For the garbage those bus drivers put up with, 20/hr is just not worth it.
Give me an application!
Found on the OC Transportation website:
” Air Show – WARNING – due to low staffing levels, historical deployment levels of the Ocean City bus service will be drastically reduced. Expect delays if you chose to use the Transit Service to reach the Airshow”
Just won’t bother to come then , since there is No parking !!!! See Ya
Who would put up with OC passengers for that ? You could panhandle that much on the boardwalk in an hour.
Was it a true emergency meeting on the bus fiasco (known for many many months) or the recent slew of National televised videos showing unrest and pointing fingers at our LEOs.???
aka – emergency damage control meeting.
Hmmmmmm….
Obvious or not too obvious? you will have better luck attending a Salisbury queer parade.
shoot part time it should be 35 an hour
The last good transportation manager worth a hoot….well he got fired. Why? Stealing lots and lots of $$$$$ from the old meters. Hence the fantastic automation kiosks now in place.
Tiny time still in play.
FIRE VERNON PERDUE AND THINGS WILL GET BETTER!
Not enough $$$$$$ in the world to put up with O..C Stupidvisors !!!!
Ocean City getting it’s KARMA !!!! For all the bus drivers treated WRONG in the past !!! LOL LOL LOL
GLAD they have a Driver Shortage & they Deserve it !!!!
Only 1 more day to hire addition drivers. Happy recruiting!
Too Little Too Late my friend !!!! Should have Paid $20.00 an hr 20 years ago !!!! Tuff Luck on getting Help !!!!
Funny how these Low Pay jobs never Cared about the Pay before they got Desperate !!!!
Their supervisors are the reason they can’t get anybody , & they need to be FIRED !!! or ELSE > No Drivers !!!!!!