Omaha, Nebraska – As the beginning of the school year approaches, Omaha Public Schools (OPS) has provided insights into its initiatives to counteract the nationwide deficit of bus drivers.
OPS acknowledges the possibility of route delays but believes that the enhancement of their call center will facilitate improved communication with parents. Chris Phillips, Chief Operating Officer of North End Teleservices, commented, “We have access to the transportation systems that also give us the opportunity to provide as much information that [we] can during that first initial experience.”
Given a reduction by 60 routes, OPS predicts a surge in call volume as the school year begins. Trevis Sallis, the OPS Executive Director of Student Transportation, emphasized the importance of ensuring satisfactory customer service for parents amidst driver shortages.
To further address the shortage, OPS has formed collaborations with transportation firms, namely Student Transportation of America and First Student. Such partnerships aim to streamline the recruitment of skilled drivers. One such driver, Jared Smith, who has dedicated 15 years to OPS as a driver, shared, “You get to be involved in so many different people’s lives, and affect so many people on such a deep level, in a positive way.”
Despite the persistent challenge of driver shortages, OPS maintains a hopeful stance. “We have staff that put in the extra hours and the extra time to ensure that they mitigate any obstacles preventing our approximate 52,000 students from a fulfilling educational journey,” Sallis conveyed.
Furthermore, while the call center doesn’t negate the need for drivers, it serves to bridge the customer service gap, as per Sallis. Parents seeking assistance are encouraged to reach out to the transportation hotline at 531-299-0140 during weekdays from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. The call center is committed to responding to inquiries in 30 seconds or less, addressing any concerns or queries.
