SNOW HILL– School bus drivers approached the Worcester County Commissioners this week to ask for a pay increase.
With no action from the Worcester County Board of Education following a presentation last month, school bus drivers took their case to the county commissioners. They told elected officials they’re struggling to cover expenses with what they’re paid now.
“We are not here because we want to get rich quick,” said Lori Thompson, secretary of the Worcester County School Bus Contractors Association (WCSBCA). “We are here because we’re getting poor quick.”
Thompson told the commissioners she was speaking on behalf of the county’s 69 bus contractors in asking the county to consider spending roughly $223,000 more on student transportation. She said that increase would allow the hourly pay for contractors to be bumped to $26.29 and would permit the mileage rate to rise to $1.80. According to Thompson the increase is needed because bus contractors only net an estimated 28% to 33% of their gross income. When buses break down, repair bills can reach $20,000.
“These are not old outdated buses,” Thompson said. “These are buses with more than 50% of life left on them. One major repair could completely wipe out an entire year’s net income. These drivers have had to open high interest loans and credit cards to pay for repairs in order to keep their commitment to the board of education and our community and stay on the road.”
Looong over due !!!!!
It use to be every large farming operation on the Shore also owned school buses and held these contracts. It was a Supplemental Income they would jump from tractor to bus and make the runs or their wives would or they’d hire a stay-at-home mom. They all had gas on the farm then bought at contracted prices and the buses were equipment right offs. You had to be on or know someone on the School Board or be involved in local politics to get these contracts. Current budgeting is based on that old mold and has not caught up.