Fisher Service calling for more school bus drivers in Hamburg, Orchard Park
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BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) -- The school year is about to shift into gear and Fisher Bus Service is looking for more people to get behind the wheel as they battle a shortage.
"It's a great opportunity to work with kiddos," said Lindsey Nyitrai, director of operations at Fisher Bus Service. "If you're just looking for something to do, it's a split shift so you can still have a life and do things in between school runs. It gives you a little extra excitement in your life working with kids in the morning and afternoon."
New bus drivers are being trained to take on the crucial task of transporting thousands of children to and from school every day in the Hamburg and Orchard Park school districts.
"I've always wanted to become a school bus driver ever since I was a kid," said trainee Cedric Ortiz. "To take the kids to school, it always seemed so fun to me."
"You can never have enough bus drivers," said Nyitrai. "We're always looking for more, it helps to run everything smoother."
They say they have 89 drivers ready and continue to hire and train more for the school year. They're hoping to put the shortage of bus drivers in the rearview mirror.
"You can never have enough," said Brittany Smith, director of safety and compliance at Fisher. "No matter where you are there's always going to be a national shortage which is not the fun part, but at the same time we are just out there doing our best to keep bringing in drivers."
During this training, drivers are also taught the importance of being a role model for these children every day.
"We're the first and last people they see in the school day," said Ortiz. "We kind of set the tone and we finish the tone, too."
"Making your kids smile, laugh as they get on the bus," said trainee Kenneth Chambers. "With our buses we have radios so I will be planning on playing good morning music for them to get them in the right mind and state ready for school."
"It's a very rewarding job," said Smith. "Not only do you get to be that role model for those kids, but they become your kids."
If you're interested in applying, you can call (716) 588-7766.