A rider prepares to board an MTS bus at the Balboa Ave station.Photo: Eddie McCoven
SAN DIEGO (KOGO) - If you normally ride the bus to work, school or the grocery store, you may wonder why there's been fewer buses out there.
"The biggest challenge that we've had is bus operator retention and recruiting new operators," said Mark Olson, Public Relations for Metropolitan Transit System (MTS).
On top of the staffing shortage, the recent spike in COVID-19 cases in San Diego County has affected bus operators, with many of them calling out sick.
"We've missed a number of trips out there with various bus routes," Olson added.
To combat the issue, MTS has temporarily reduced the frequency of buses on certain routes, publishing new schedules to match the fewer number of trips. Through hiring fairs and offering bonuses, MTS hopes to onboard more bus operators and end the temporary service reduction. The company is also offering new bus operators health insurance for two full years at no cost to the employee.
Staffing shortages and COVID-19 cases are also affecting public transit in North County. The North County Transit District (NCTD) sent KOGO News the following statement:
"Like many employers and transit agencies throughout the country, NCTD and its contractor, MV Transportation, continues to feel the effects of worker shortage. Exasperating the issue is a recent increase in the number of positive COVID cases. NCTD continues to make diligent efforts to move drivers to routes that have less frequency to lessen the impact on riders."
Until positions are filled, the current wave of COVID-19 cases passes and transit service is restored to full capacity, riders just need to have a little patience.
"Be kind to the driver, because the driver is the one who showed up to work that day," said Olson. "He or she is the one taking you where you need to go."