As Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) struggles to hire bus drivers, Metro announced it is offering an up to $2,500 signing bonus in its efforts to obtain more operators.
Metro is looking to hire about 70 bus drivers. MCPS recently announced it was about 100 drivers short but that number has dropped as more of its drivers have returned to work following quarantining or recovery from COVID-19.
Metro has more than 1,000 buses operating on 187 routes throughout Maryland, Washington, D.C. and Virginia. It currently is averaging 180,000 daily riders, which is about 60% of what it was prior to the pandemic.
Metrobus is returning to regular weekday service on Feb. 7. It currently operates on a modified Saturday schedule, which is about 75% of normal weekday service. The reductions were made due to covid-related staffing shortage, Metro officials said.
“I want to thank our customers for their patience as we took swift action to protect the health and safety of riders and employees in the face of the unprecedented covid surge, which has impacted about 10 percent of our workforce since the holidays,” said CEO/GM Paul J. Wiedefeld.
“Metrobus is essential to the economic well-being of the region, connecting people to jobs, hospitals, stores and other activities. None of this would be possible without our bus operators,” said Wiedefeld, who announced in January that he will retire in six months.
“Our members are eager to resume full bus service to our communities,” said ATU L689 President Ray Jackson. “We will continue to do all that we can to protect workers, our families, and our passengers through this pandemic, while keeping the region moving.”
Bus drivers will receive a $1,000 signing bonus in their first paycheck upon hiring. A minimum of a commercial driver learner’s permit is required to start in the position. If candidates don’t have experience driving a bus, Metro will provide training. After completing a 10-week training, drivers will receive the remaining $1,500 bonus pay.
Wiedefeld also announced this week that Interim Chief Michael Anzallo was named Metro Transit Police Department’s new chief. Anzallo started in August 2021.
“Chief Anzallo is a trusted leader in MTPD who has built important relationships with our communities and jurisdictional police partners,” Wiedefeld said in a news release. “He demonstrates genuine concern for helping to solve very difficult challenges that are unique to our business and the region. I know he will be an effective leader for MTPD.”
Regular weekday @Metrobusinfo service to return Monday, February 7 https://t.co/KZ5T62i7B7 #wmata pic.twitter.com/cPYjd8MMuY
— Metro Forward (@wmata) January 27, 2022
