Bus Driver Shortage and Transportation
Summary
The district needs 90 drivers to run 90 buses and often falls short. Radios, cloud cameras and lockboxes improved safety, but recruiting stays tough given split-shift hours and benefit limits.
At a glance
- Total mentions
- 3
- Last 30 days
- 1
Discussed at 2 meetings in the last 60 days; most recently Oct 5, 2026.
Impact analysis
The county's share would be $165,908.10 for FY 2027-2028.
The roughly 7,000 students who ride buses daily.
Mentions & discussions (3)
Board of County Commissioners - Oct 5, 2026
Pender Adult Services' transit program is the county's only local public transportation, providing over 21,000 rides last year including 1,811 wheelchair-accessible trips. The board was scheduled to hold a public hearing and consider a $165,908.10 local match to keep it running.
Board of County Commissioners - Sep 21, 2026
PAS-TRAN is the county's only public transportation service, providing 21,128 rides last year including 1,811 wheelchair trips. The board was asked to hold a hearing on and approve $165,908 in local match funding for federal grants that keep the buses running.
General - Apr 23, 2026
The district needs 90 drivers to run 90 buses and often falls short. Radios, cloud cameras and lockboxes improved safety, but recruiting stays tough given split-shift hours and benefit limits.
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