GoDurham becomes the latest Triangle bus system to restore service that was curtailed during and after the COVID-19 pandemic.
Starting this weekend, GoDurham will go back to its full pre-pandemic schedule for the first time since it reduced frequency on many routes starting in 2020. GoDurham has 19 routes throughout the city and into parts of the county.
The biggest hurdle to restoring service has been a lack of drivers, said spokeswoman Brenda Jones. GoDurham now has 136 drivers, enough to operate its full schedule. But during the pandemic, as drivers retired or sought jobs elsewhere, that number was as low as 103, Jones said.
To fill vacancies, GoDurham increased pay to $19.65 an hour to start, going to $22.10 after six months. It also began offering bonuses to new hires, those who remained for a year and those employees who refer new drivers.
Other area bus systems
The steps are similar to ones taken by GoRaleigh and GoTriangle. This month, GoRaleigh was able to restore service on 11 routes it curtailed in September 2022 because of a driver shortage.