Lack of bus drivers takes a toll on rural schooling logistics

Flinders Ranges branch member Mija Reynolds seconded the motion and said there were many potential bus drivers in isolated areas, but often they choose to be employed in more suitable work settings.

"There are several factors that seem to affect driver decisions here," she said.

"To successfully apply, potential drivers have to first pay for and pass a medical which potentially also involves travel if a specialist is required, all at their own cost.

"In other country locations closer to Adelaide, the cost ramifications of this are mitigated by distance.

"In isolated locations, this tends to build up and addition to this, driver accreditation also needs to be applied for and paid for."

She said for someone who is semi retired, a typical scenario in these areas, and looking at low hours and staggered times, a position such as an AM/PM bus driver, this was not an appealing scenario, which could take a few months to unfold.

"Drivers work am and pm, which is not a great combination of work hours," she said.

"Schools are then at times, compelled to come up with a modified job situation, which does not always suit a schools needs.

"Professional support for bus drivers is also needed to support them in their role.

"The work situation of a bus driver can be extremely pressured."

Mrs Reynolds said they perform a role which involves managing a vehicle and a bus full of kids.

"It is especially a role which is a focus of parents and can erode away a driver confidence," she said.

"This is a combination of roles which require support and training and will continue to contribute to drivers stepping down at times.

"Professional development in the skills and method for managing school students on a bus would make drivers feel more competent and confident contributing to a longer period of work in this job."

Eyre branch member Di Thomas said she supported the motion as getting bus drivers was a problem with all the hoops they have to jump through.

"But it's equally as hard to find relief bus drivers because they may only drive the bus once or twice a year, but they've still got to have all the qualifications and do all the things," she said.

Department for Education SA manager transport services Ashley Smith said there were 430 rural bus services around the state.

"It is a massive issue at the moment trying to find school bus drivers," he said.

"This is due to the aging driver population and wages as well and the costs of accreditation and licences as well.

"We are looking at alternative wage structures for drivers and making it more attractive for drivers to be employed to drive a department owned school bus and make it easier for rural communities to obtain and attract new drivers.

"But also consideration is being given to reimburse the drivers for their heavy duty vehicle drivers licence and driver accreditation costs as well which involves medicals, working with children checks and the national police clearance."

He said they'd also like to consider providing better training and induction packages to drivers.

"Importantly, the wage structure has been really discussed in the past six or eight months so hopefully we will get something on board with that before the end of this year," he said.

Flinders University emeritus professor doctor John Halsey said when he started teaching in the bush, it was taken for granted that he would be a school bus driver.

"Sometimes we need to go back to the history to find a solution for the future," he said.

"I do think it's worth thinking about looking at that yet again, in some of these complex, isolated situations.

"I got my bus licence in Kimba by driving the bus around the town stopping at the railway station, going back to the police station and being signed off.

"Looking at the idea of reinvigorating or at least rethinking, using the teacher education workforce that currently exists and the student support officers as a pool of potential drivers."