Who’s on the Bus? Berkeley County Schools Unveils New Tech for Passenger Manifest, Bus Routes; Tout New Driver Training to Cover Routes

MARTINSBURG, W.Va. — There were not enough bus drivers for Berkeley County school routes last year. Executive Director of General Education Transportation Services for Berkeley County Schools Eric Keesecker talked about their efforts to keep the routes going.
“236 full time bus routes – that’s how many we run every day. It was a challenge last year. We asked our folks to step up and combine routes or do double routes and those folks did it. There was a time last year unfortunately when we had to cancel some runs because we just didn’t have the help. We exhausted every resource that we had.”
This year, things are different, according to Keesecker. “Last year, we were 11 drivers short. I’m knocking on wood, because as of right now, we have a body for every bus that’s on the road.”
Students in Berkeley County Schools will get back to class Monday (August 22nd). This week, bus drivers were learning road skills and getting trained on some new technology aimed at helping bus drivers navigate their route and know who’s riding that day.
“We’re going to be able to identify every child on the bus through a card reader so that when students get on and off the bus, we’ll have a passenger manifest at the tip of our fingers,” according to Keesecker.
Eventually, the technology may allow parents to know in real time when and where their student’s bus is.
Keesecker says 15 new trainees will be ready to go this month, but they are always looking for more drivers.
He says to start at the Website. “www.berkeleycountyschools.org – at the top right, click on “Work for Us,” then click on the video with the gentleman holding the school bus radio and it will take you right to where you put in the application,” Keesecker says. “If you’re interested in being a driver, we do all the training and get you certified through the state.”
There are more than 19,000 students enrolled in Berkeley County Schools being served by 236 full time bus routes.
More information at http://www.berkeleycountyschools.org