Between classes, part-time jobs and clubs, university life almost demands students find a balance to pack in the maximum amount of activities on the minimum amount of sleep. In most cases, this is probably unhealthy. In some, it’s dangerous.
Overworked Department of Transportation Services bus drivers, who complain their schedules have been overbooked and that they’ve been working without breaks, certainly fall into the latter category. As Tirza Austin reported in Oct. 16’s issue of The Diamondback, DOTS drivers say the department is dramatically understaffed, causing its officials to stretch its employee base thin.
The university setting makes this driver shortage especially troubling, as college campuses are pressure cookers for bad pedestrian habits. It’s the norm for students to dart across streets or cross where there isn’t a crosswalk. Factor in the atmosphere on weekend bus routes, where the aisles are full, noise is a constant challenge and vomiting isn’t uncommon, and it’s clear why one driver said the shortage is “putting drivers in dangerous situations.” It makes sense that the department would have rules that require drivers to take breaks every three hours and not work more than 20 hours in a given week, but the driver in the story said those rules are routinely broken.
It’s unclear how widespread these issues are. And for a department in perpetual need of expanded services for existing routes, driver shortages practically preclude growth. It should be easy to hire full-time employees – according to the most recent numbers available, unemployment stands at 4.6 percent in Prince George’s County.
But Allen said he gives preference to student drivers. Seven years ago, the department ran fine on staff made up entirely of students, he said. But since then, not only has DOTS added a considerable number of bus routes, but the school’s academic profile has also shot up. Maybe that means students are more likely to pursue research opportunities and internships than other campus jobs. If students aren’t filling driver spots, DOTS needs to tap other communities.
There needs to be a review of DOTS operations; if it is found that the shortage of drivers is resulting in dangerous working conditions, there needs to be an immediate effort to hire additional drivers. If more drivers cannot be found, DOTS needs to scale back their operations until they can ensure safety. We are hardly enthusiastic about the prospect of cutting the number of buses, as certain areas are already under-served. Nonetheless, safety must be the paramount consideration.
It’s taken too long for DOTS to recognize the reality of its current staff. Employees are complaining they’re overworked. Students are complaining they’re not getting services. The department needs to take action soon. If the drivers say they don’t feel safe driving the buses, we don’t feel safe taking them.
