Wasilla, Alaska, September 10, 2025
News Summary
The Mat-Su Borough School District has canceled 42 bus routes due to a significant driver shortage, impacting less than 4% of daily operations. Parents expressed frustration over last-minute notifications. While services returned to normal shortly after, the ongoing driver shortage raises concerns, with factors such as absences and insufficient backup drivers cited. Alongside this, other districts like Anchorage are also facing similar challenges, prompting initiatives to recruit more drivers and ensure reliable transportation for students.
Wasilla, Alaska – Mat-Su Borough School District Faces Major Bus Route Cancellations Due to Driver Shortage
The Mat-Su Borough School District has canceled numerous school bus routes as it grapples with a significant driver shortage. These cancellations occurred on Thursday and Friday of last week, affecting approximately 42 bus route segments out of the 550 operated daily by the district.
The issue relates to staffing challenges with Durham School Services, the district’s long-term bus contractor under a multi-year, nearly $200 million agreement. A district spokesperson indicated that the cancellations were primarily due to drivers being absent without sufficient backup available. While less than 4% of the district’s total routes were impacted, many parents expressed dissatisfaction due to receiving notifications of cancellations only hours before scheduled pick-up times.
Parents like Jorge Osorio highlighted how these last-minute changes disrupt family routines, complicating the coordination of work and school commitments. On Monday following the cancellations, the district reported that bus services returned to normal with no additional route cancellations noted.
Durham School Services has attributed the ongoing driver shortage to a combination of factors, including employee leaves of absence and call-offs. The district remains optimistic that the situation will improve as some drivers are expected to return and new recruits complete their necessary training.
Recent History of Driver Shortages
This is not the first time the Mat-Su Borough School District has faced transportation challenges. During the start of the 2022 school year, a similar driver shortage forced the district to cancel regular education routes, causing considerable disruption for families. The issue is not isolated to Mat-Su; the Anchorage School District has experienced comparable shortages and implemented a rotating bus schedule, leaving thousands of eligible students without reliable transportation.
The Anchorage School District’s solution involved dividing their general education routes into cohorts, which scheduled service for only a fraction of the total eligible students at any given time, further complicating transportation for families. They have also extended financial incentives to attract new drivers, offering $2,500 for driver recruitment and additional $500 for bus attendants during the first semester.
Future Developments and Assistance
The Alaska National Guard confirmed that it could not assist with the driver shortage due to legal limitations on activation for this purpose. Meanwhile, the Anchorage School District continues to seek alternatives to mitigate the impact of transportation burdens on students and families.
The current bus transportation contract with Durham School Services is set to last until June 30, 2032. With the ongoing driver shortage in both school districts, it remains uncertain how quickly this pressing issue can be resolved, especially considering the substantial number of open positions across multiple departments, including 375 vacancies in Anchorage alone.
Summary of Bus Route Cancellations
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Total Bus Routes Affected | 42 out of 550 |
| Percentage of Routes Affected | Less than 4% |
| Contract with Durham School Services | Until June 30, 2032 |
| Driver Shortage Reasons | Absences, leaves of absence, call-offs |
| Open Positions in Anchorage | 375 in various departments |
FAQ
What prompted the bus route cancellations in the Mat-Su Borough School District?
The cancellations were primarily due to a shortage of bus drivers resulting from absences, leaves of absence, and a lack of standby drivers available to cover routes.
How many bus routes were canceled during the recent driver shortage?
A total of 42 bus route segments were canceled during the cancellations, which affects less than 4% of the district’s daily operations.
What measures is the district taking to address the driver shortage?
The district anticipates improvement as some drivers return to work and new drivers complete training. Meanwhile, other districts like Anchorage are implementing financial incentives and exploring alternate solutions.
Are there any similar issues in other school districts?
Yes, the Anchorage School District also faced a driver shortage at the beginning of the previous school year, restricting bus services and affecting transportation for a large number of students.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Additional Resources
- Alaska’s News Source: Driver Shortage Hits Mat-Su Students
- Wikipedia: School Bus
- Anchorage Daily News: National Guard Unable to Help with Bus Driver Shortage
- Google Search: School Bus Driver Shortage
- School Transportation News: Driver Shortages in Alaska
- Google Scholar: School Bus Driver Shortage
- Anchorage Daily News: ASD Bus Routes Suspension
- Encyclopedia Britannica: School Transportation
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