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Student�Transportation

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Kimberly Jones, Executive Director �Student Transportation

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November 2023

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Transportation Student Update

As of November 2nd, 2023:

  • 16% increase in Diverse Learner students compared to last year

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SY 22-23 travel times

  • > 60 minutes: 3,000 students
  • > 90 minutes: 365 students

Current travel times

  • 61-65 minutes: 73 students
  • 66-80 minutes: 51 students

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Student Comparison

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BACKGROUND

  • 2016:
      • Loss of 13 Bus Companies
      • Start of National Bus Driver Shortage*

*Survey National Association of Pupil Transportation

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Transportation Driver Update

  • 1,300 yellow bus drivers needed to transport DL, GenEd and STLS students
  • Current driver count is 707 compared to 692 last school year
  • Increased driver wages
    • SY22/23: $3
    • SY23/24: $2
  • Monthly hiring fairs (15 scheduled to date)

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(As of Nov 2nd)

Interviews

Hired

Aide

274

174

Driver

114

39

District is operating at 54% capacity

Driver Update

Drivers

692

707

0

200

400

600

800

SY 22/23

SY 23/24

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Transportation Requests

Transportation Requests received after first day �of school:

3,793

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SY23/24 Transportation Request

SY 22/23

Request

0

500

1,000

1,500

2,000

August

September

October

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ADDRESSING THE DRIVER SHORTAGE: COLLABORATION

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Next Steps

  • 2nd Quarter Gen Education update
  • Working with the City Colleges of Chicago to establish a campus portal for driver and aide job listings
  • Weekly rotating school bus vendor presence on City College campuses to directly recruit for current part time positions
  • Requesting Secretary of State to revamp and shorten wait times for appointments for “on the road” testing required for CDL acquisition
  • Launch of bus driver + aide marketing campaign

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ADDRESSING THE DRIVER SHORTAGE: RECRUITMENT & RETENTION