After reports of school bus delays in the south at the start of the year, KUAM News reached out to the Department of Public Works to talk driver shortages, fleet capacity, and what’s being done to fix it. The Guam Department of Education’s teacher shortage is well known, but it’s not the only challenge facing the island’s students.

Another critical service provider, DPW, is also grappling with a staffing gap. Agency deputy director Linda Ibanez confirmed they've begun the school year with fewer drivers and buses than “ideal", saying, “DPW began the school year with fewer drivers, which are active drivers at 80, and buses that are ideally 90 capacity.”

The shortage, she explained, caused minor route adjustments early on.  And while retirement and attrition have played major roles in the staffing drop, so has this challenge: “We’ve been announcing our position of a school bus driver as a continuing announcement throughout the year, and so, there are not many applicants who are submitting or who are showing interest in being a school bus driver.”

Despite the difficulties, she says DPW is pushing forward, actively recruiting, acquiring more buses, and keeping its current fleet in service.  Ibanez urged anyone interested to consider the opportunity.

Ibanez said, “It’s growth. You would interact with the public and GDOE, and there is growth within the department. It’s an enrichment to be a part of the community–to help transport our precious cargo, from pre-k-4  to high school. So that’s part of community partnership.”

She noted that training for new drivers is already underway. And while challenges remain, Ibanez assured the public that “all eligible students have continued to receive transportation, as routes are now stable.”