Due to a driver shortage, McDonough County Public Transportation (MCPT) has made alterations to its Go West routes.
Director Miranda Lambert said the transportation system has 13 drivers. She said the ideal number is 18. Lambert said Go West has faced a driver shortage for a couple years now, but this is the most extreme it’s been.
A five driver shortage might not seem severe, but she said it makes adjustments to COVID-19 and other elements difficult to deal with.
“When you want to be able to have the amount of staff to cover time off, if somebody has medical leave, we do not have any of that cushion to provide those [bus] routes to be covered. What makes that even more extreme now is with Covid,” Lambert said.
Since the current fiscal year began on July 1, 2021, Go West has experienced a loss of more than 11,000 hours on the road. That’s almost 13% less time on the road than what is expected.
MCPT has a transportation contract with Durham School Services, which is responsible for the recruitment and training of new drivers. A new rule requires CDL applicants to have in-class and behind-the-wheel training.
Lambert said the amount of time it takes for a driver to be road-ready can change potential employees' minds about joining Go West. Additionally, MCPT takes matters into their own hands to get new recruits on the road.
“It makes our on-boarding process much quicker if someone comes with a CDL,” Lambert said. “Depending what endorsements they [applicants] have, like if they need a passenger endorsement, our safety trainer is able to work with them to get that.”
Lambert urged those who are interested in becoming a Go West driver to look at openings online.
The total number of rides given by the county’s public transportation system has plummeted by 87% in just five fiscal years.
- FY 2017 - 1,394,140
- FY 2018 - 1,088,973
- FY 2019 - 837,359
- FY 2020 - 444,689
- FY 2021 - 184, 264
Lambert attributes the decrease to the pandemic and the decline in enrollment at WIU.
Tri States Public Radio produced this story. TSPR relies on financial support from our readers and listeners in order to provide coverage of the issues that matter to west central Illinois, southeast Iowa, and northeast Missouri. As someone who values the content created by TSPR's news department please consider making a financial contribution.