Wausau MetroRide buses. Image courtesy: WAOW TV.
WAUSAU, WI (WSAU) — Just like every other employer in the region, Wausau’s MetroRide bus service could use some extra help.
Director Greg Seubert told the city’s Transit Commission on Thursday that of the nine slots they have available for part-time drivers, just three are filled. “Six out of nine are vacant, that’s two-thirds of our part-timers,” said Seubert. “We really have not been successful to date in filling those positions.”
While he’s tried to remain flexible with staff through the pandemic and the shortage, Seubert says as of late his department has had to cancel time off requests to keep the routes moving. “We’ve been more liberal than our contract suggests we need to be, but we can’t afford to do that anymore. We are trying to enforce what the contract says, and it’s been tough.”
Seubert goes on to say that’s caused some morale issues for the drivers. “It is what it is. Buses gotta roll, and we need X number of people so it’s going to be a bigger challenge.”
Seubert says MetroRide is in the process of bringing one more driver on board and thought they had another but that person quit after just one day saying the job wasn’t “[their] cup of tea.”
MetroRide is actively recruiting new drivers. Seubert says they are making paper applications available to accommodate those who may not be savvy with online forms and using lawn signs to raise awareness. There’s also a recruitment video that will be out in the next few weeks, and Seubert says they are also getting creative with a mobile job fair.
“We’ve got ideas that are bouncing around and we’ve put some into action but it remains a struggle,” he added.
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