to the question “Are some students at risk of using their school transportation this year?“, the answer of the marzes is more than uncertain. This year, more than others, the possibility of disruption to all school transport crystallizes concerns. Estimated at 8,000 at the start of the summer, the number of driver vacancies now stands at about 7,000, according to the National Transportation Federation. But time is running out, and the marzes dealing with these issues expect to go back to school under high tension.
The shortage of drivers is not new. it has been observed for several years, but has significantly worsened since the Covid-19 crisis. With detentions enforced, school transportation has ground to a halt for months, deterring candidates already unwilling to take low-paying jobs and split hours. If until now the defect concerned only a few regions, now the whole area is at risk. From the metropolis of Bordeaux to Vaucluse by Loiret and Oise. As a result, provinces and companies in the sector must hastily reorganize schemes to mitigate the shock of the start of the school year.
Starting with the change in bus times. “Collection schemes will be modified to accommodate the care of all children,” explains David Valens, Grand Est District Vice President of Transportation. In this region, where 200,000 students get on the bus every day to go to school, for example, some will need to come.”15 minutes before or 15 minutes after the original bus departure time“. In very large but sparsely populated communities,5 or 6 collection points will be combined into one“, he continues.
fill in the holes
Another specific lever. staggering of study hours by the institutions themselves. “Getting high school students to class at 8:00 am and elementary kids at 8:45 am will allow us more time for the driver to make more trips.”, – develops David Valens, knowing about the possible disadvantages of organizing parents. These exceptional changes are also closely monitored by the Ministry of Education. they are currently the subject of targeted trials in several areas so as not to disrupt the entire school system and parent organization.
But these solutions act as a band-aid. The reorganization of regions in Hauts-de-France is reassuring, but not convincing.We are doing our best to close the last few holes to get every child on the bus on the first day of school, but we are starting the year with an extremely tight flow.“Frank Dersin, vice president of the region for transport issues, warns. “At the slightest resurgence of Covid, at the slightest sick leave or resignation… It’s a disaster.“, he continues.
Because the root of the problem is elsewhere – the profession is no longer attractive. Blame it on split schedules (a driver’s day is marked by a long break between taking students to school and bringing them home), which results in paltry wages that are billed as part-time. For example, in Pays de la Loire, a driver is paid around €700 per month.
rescue driver
Recognizing this limit, regions first tried to communicate the positive aspects of the profession: school holidays, free time to care for children, or participation in a mission of common interest. “We wrote to all families in July to inform them about the problem and, first of all, to point out that if some have relatives looking for work, this work is possible.“, explains Roche Brancourt, Regional Vice President for Transport, assessing that this statement has “small effect500 positions that were to be filled at the beginning of the summer.
Some growth in solidarity nationally has led business executives, retirees or administrative staff to make themselves available to drive buses at the start of the school year. A momentum that allows the French regions, the institution that represents the French regions to public authorities, to minimize the deficit figures. While the National Federation of Passenger Transport indicates 7,000 vacancies, the French regions specify 3,750.It is a calming measure towards the students’ parents, which is normal. comments by Ingrid Mareschal, president of the federation. But the difference between the numbers is explained by the temporary and uncertain nature of this emergency hiring“.
Because filling vacancies is possible only in the long run. Taking into account the increase in daily working hours, in particular the salary increase. But also by offering appropriate training. In fact, split schedules allow you to do other work part-time, which in the first place allows you to add two paychecks. “We try to offer dual training, for example becoming a driver in the morning and a courier in an urban environment in the afternoon, or even a driver and rescuer.“, develops David Valens of the Grand Est region.
To promote this sector, Pôle Emploi also ensures that its advisers are informed. “We made a portrait of a school transport driver robot. this job should now be offered to job seekers almost systematically.“, – encourages Ingrid Mareschal.
Source: Le Figaro
