Amid bus driver shortage, Boston students ride party bus with stripper poles and neon lights on field trip

Students in Boston rode a party bus, complete with a stripper pole and neon lights, on a field trip due to the ongoing national school bus driver shortage.

Eleventh grade AP Language & Composition teacher at the Brooke Charter School in Boston, Jim Mayers tweeted about the experience on Sept. 17.

“It is a funny story, but there actually is a real bus shortage and it speaks to major flaws in our education system,” said Mayers. “This in no way is a reflection of anyone involved in planning the trip, we were trying to have a fun day with the kids and that’s exactly what happened.”

Mayers explained that the original charter bus fell through.

“And when you promise hundreds of kids a fun day with their advisories, you make it happen,” he tweeted.

As schools kick off the 2021-2022 academic year, many school districts have found themselves in another dilemma: a lack of bus drivers.

“School bus drivers don’t grow on trees,” John McCarthy, the CEO of NRT Bus, told WBZ. “They are highly trained at what they do. It’s hard enough to take care of their own kids, never mind 72 kids on a regular basis.”

McCarthy reportedly said that the large transportation provider is about 300 drivers short for the beginning of the school year, adding that drivers are still concerned about COVID-19.

Mayers posted a picture of the bus with the students on board and added that “they didn’t really care about the bus, and a lot of great planning by a lot of great people made for a fantastic day.”

He added in the Twitter thread that people should call their local elected officials and demand structural investments in the education system.

“Including paying all bus drivers, facilities, and operations staff a competitive salary & comprehensive benefits. Whatever you think is enough, double it,” Mayers added.