Howard County launches new incentive program to combat bus driver shortage – CBS Baltimore

ELLICOTT CITY, Md. – Howard County is rolling out new transit driver incentives to recruit and retain city bus drivers, introduced Wednesday by CEO Calvin Ball.

Notice is given at a Regional Transportation Authority The event focuses on Howard County’s efforts to combat bus driver shortages.

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Some of the offers include:

• Hourly wage increase.
• Reduced age of eligibility for drivers.
• Recruitment and retention bonuses.
• Pause low-traffic routes.
• Provide on-site training and support to help drivers obtain a CDL license.

“Throughout this pandemic, businesses and organizations have faced challenges with employee turnover and recruitment. Ball says this problem in industries, including transportation. “To continue to ensure outstanding service to our community – so that more of our residents can get to work, to the grocery store, and to their doctor appointments, we must recruit and retain drivers. It has always been our goal to improve the reliability and accessibility of transportation in Howard County for people of all abilities – and the efforts we have outlined today are a step forward. solve this driver shortage. ”

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These incentives are just one of many efforts by Howard County over the last year to combat driver shortages.

This early year, the county has launched a new program that allows middle and high school students to use a free RTA bus pass. They have also performed singing bonuses, held job fairs, and provided paid training courses.

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RTA currently needs to hire 31 drivers to meet pre-pandemic capacity.

“We hope that the RTA, in close coordination with our partners in Laurel and surrounding counties, can work quickly to hire the necessary drivers and bring our transit operations I’m back to pre-pandemic levels,” said Maryland Central Transportation and Transportation Committee Chairman Allen. “Thanks also to the dedicated staff of the RTA who have been working on the front lines of the pandemic for the past 18 months and who deserve recognition for the essential service they provide to our residents. I.”