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Yakima School District cites driver shortages, plans 4‑bell schedule and electric-bus purchases to improve service
Summary
The district reported a driver shortage limiting operations to about 57 routes on a two‑bell schedule and outlined a proposed four‑bell model to reduce simultaneous routes, cut transfers and make better use of a smaller driver pool; staff also described grant-funded electric-bus purchases and monitoring plans.
Art Rodriguez, the district’s Director of Transportation, told the Yakima School District Board that staffing and fleet constraints are driving operational changes, including a proposal to move from a two‑bell to a four‑bell schedule.
Rodriguez said the district currently operates roughly 57 routes with 66 drivers on staff (the district is funded for 68), and that days with multiple absences leave the department stretched. "We are always on the verge of being short," he said, describing a season‑by‑season fluctuation in drivers and route coverage.
The proposed four‑bell…
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