MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – The effects of a national bus driver shortage have rippled into the Mid-Atlantic region, specifically Morgantown and Mountain Line Transit.
On WAJR’s Talk of the Town, CEO David Bruffy said they are hoping to hire qualified drivers as soon as possible and in some cases they can help potential employees get a Commercial Driver’s License.
“We have about 12 openings for drivers out of our normal workforce of 50, so we’re about 25-percent short,” Bruffy said,” It’s to the point that it is affecting our ability to put service out on the street.”
When fully staffed, drivers work four day weeks and the equipment is relatively new as well. Mountain Line runs newer, fuel efficient busses that also allow for easy, thorough cleaning. Drivers and riders are also required to wear masks and observe protocols in accordance with federal guidelines.
Pay for drivers is just over $20-per-hour.
“We also have a tremendous benefit package,” Bruffy said,” It looks like the traditional government benefits- vacation, sick leave, disability, uniforms and holidays off, all those traditional kind of benefits.”
Your driving record is important, but minor incidents in the past can likely be explained and possibly waived. Mountain Line runs over 1,000,000 miles per year, so the organization is looking for people who are seeking a career.
“The minimum education requirement is a high school diploma or equivalent,” Bruffy said,” Of course there are opportunities to drive and even become a shift supervisor or other positions in the organization.”
Drivers also qualify for health, dental, vision insurance, a company match retirement program and longevity pay.
“We have eight paid holidays, and some of those holidays (three per year)we actually run service,” Bruffy said,” So, folks who want to volunteer and work on those holidays actually get double pay.”
In order to maintain a positive work environment every attempt is made to strike work-life balance.
“We always try to make sure they have at least one weekend day off,” Bruffy said,” We really try to make it a job that’s attractive and enjoyable for the people out there serving our public.”