DETROIT – Metro Detroit’s SMART bus system is down 35 drivers and is looking to fill open positions.
SMART has had trouble finding the right people for the bus driver jobs, so the company is aggressively trying to recruit new drivers.
“There are more buses, but we need drivers,” said SMART driver Glenn Stewart.
The shortage doesn’t impact service, but it has affected overtime; employees are working more to keep routes going.
“Our drivers have been picking up the slack,” said SMART spokeswoman Beth Gibbons. She hopes that new drivers can be hired soon to take the load off of existing employees.
The training rate for someone with a driver’s license who is working toward a commercial driver's license is $14.50; the driver starting rate is 16.71 and $20.89 is the top rate for drivers.
Those interested in driving must have not had a suspended, revoked, or restricted driver’s license within the past 60 months, have less than four points on their driving record and must have five years of experience driving a motor vehicle.
Training includes two weeks of classroom training and six weeks of on-the-road training.
To apply for a job with SMART, visit smartbus.org/About/Careers/Openings.