School bus drivers all over Hampton Roads are testing their brakes and practicing their early morning smiles ahead of the new school year.
Chuck Callahan, a driver in Chesapeake, says he’s excited to see his students again.
“By the end of the year, I just loved getting up in the morning, going to see my students, getting to talk with them,” he told News 3.
However, even though these drivers are ready, will there be enough staff to get your kids to school on time? Well, according to the Virginia Department of Transportation, the number of school bus drivers has increased by about 5% since around the time the COVID-19 pandemic ended.
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One of the districts where things are looking great is Portsmouth.
“Every route has a driver, every bus that is assigned has a driver assigned to it. So we’re looking good,” said Micheal King, the Transportation Coordinator with Portsmouth Public Schools.