Transportation » Route Changes or Consolidations - Bus Driver Shortages

Route Changes or Consolidations - Bus Driver Shortages

Over the last several years, there has been a bus driver shortage across the country. The East Valley School District has not been immune to the shortage. While we have been actively working to recruit and train new drivers, we have not been able to fill all available positions. This has resulted in routes being changed or consolidated.

 

While the EVSD Transportation Department will do everything in their power to avoid a route cancellation, we wanted to alert families who have students that ride these routes of the possibility so they can plan alternative arrangements in advance. If a route was to be canceled, EVSD would alert families as early as possible. School Messenger messages (phone, email, and text) would be sent out to families on the effected routes. Families could also call our transportation hotline at 509-573-7350 for route cancellation information.

 

Again, we hope to never have the need to cancel a route, but being prepared and planning ahead are important to help to reduce the stress and inconvenience a cancellation could have on our EV families. 

 

Thank you for understanding.

 

UPDATE: April 26, 2023

 

Dear East Valley Families,

 

Due to driver shortages in our Transportation Department, we will be combining the Route 12 bus route everyday (morning and afternoon) until the end of the school year, beginning today. Please see the information below for all bus routes affected by this merger.

 

East Valley High School and East Valley Central Route 12 Information:

Route 12: Students who normally ride Route 12 will ride Route 21.

Route 21 North Sky Vista Stops Only: Students who normally ride Route 21 and are picked up/dropped-off on North Sky Vista will be riding Route 4.

  • Please have riders out to their bus stop 15 minutes earlier than normal. Afternoon drop-off will be approximately 15 minutes later.

Route 21 All Other Stops (not North Sky Vista): Students who normally ride Route 21 (other than North Sky Vista) will continue to ride Route 21.

  • Please have Route 21 riders out to their bus stop 10 minutes earlier than normal for morning pick-up. Afternoon drop-off will be approximately 15 minutes later.

Terrace Heights Elementary Families with Students Who Ride Bus Routes 12 and 23:

All Route 12 riders will be riding Route 23 bus (the two routes are combining to share one bus).

  • Students who normally ride Route 23: Morning pick-up will be approximately 15-20 minutes late.
  • Students who normally ride Route 12: Morning pick-up will be at the same time as normal.
  • Afternoon drop-off will be approximately 15 minutes later.
 

If you have any questions regarding your student’s bus route, please contact our Transportation Department at 509-573-7373. Thank you for your understanding and patience while we continue to work through bus driver shortages.

 

Interested in becoming a school bus driver or substitute bus driver? Come work with us!

More info @ https://www.evsd90.org/apps/pages/jobs