AUGUSTA — Two public school bus drivers from Waldo County joined others in Augusta in support of a bill to address Maine’s shortage of school bus drivers. The bill, LD 1641, “An Act To Strengthen the School Transportation Workforce,” received a public hearing before the Legislature’s Education and Cultural Affairs Committee.

“Out of our 18 drivers, seven are receiving Social Security and could easily be done working at the drop of a hat,” said Jackson resident Cindy Ludden, a school bus driver for Regional School Unit (RSU) 3. “Last Wednesday one driver was unable to deal with a family crisis due to no other drivers being available. Being able to sign up for unemployment when work is not available would help people get from paycheck to paycheck and allow them to return to work, driving the school bus year after year.”

Monday, May 13, Ludden joined Searsport’s Gerry French, a bus driver for RSU 71, and Unity’s Betty Hobbs at the Capitol in support of LD 1641, introduced by Sen. Erin Herbig, D-Belfast.

“In Maine, school districts are in desperate need of bus drivers,” said Senator Herbig. “The problem is particularly serious in rural communities like mine, where custodians and office assistants are being asked to get behind the wheel. This bill will help ensure that schools stay open and kids can get the most out of their education.”

LD 1641 would allow public bus drivers to collect unemployment during the summers. Private bus drivers are already able to do this. In addition, the bill would create a grant program to which local school districts can apply for help training new drivers.

LD 1641 faces further action in the committee as well as votes before the Maine Senate and House.