Collier County bus drivers prep for the first day of school

Author: Sommer Senne Writer: Nicholas Karsen, Sommer Senne
Published: Updated:
school bus
School buses parked in Helena, Mont., ahead of the beginning of the school year, Friday, Aug. 20, 2021. School districts across the country are coping with a shortage of bus drivers, a dilemma that comes even as they struggle to start a new school year during a new surge of the coronavirus pandemic. (AP Photo/Iris Samuels)

In preparation for the upcoming school year, bus drivers in Collier County are taking time to familiarize themselves with their routes.

As part of its transportation training day, bus drivers will use this opportunity to become acquainted with their routes and adjust to the morning traffic.

While Collier County may not suffer the same understaffing issues as Lee County, the area to cover has expanded, making it a priority to have drivers prepared for variables.

Parents in Lee County had vocalized their concerns regarding the tardiness of school buses while expressing their concerns about their children arriving to and from school late.

Zone changes have given drivers less distance to drive; however, that has only provided a bandage to the situation as the understaffing issue continues to rear its head for Lee County.

As the community grows, the Collier County School Board has considered re-zoning the school zones and boundaries.

Further discussion on this matter will be a focal point during the September meeting with Collier school leaders.

In the meantime, the motorist will be seeing the yellow school buses during their morning commutes.

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