Amid a nationwide bus driver shortage, NC State Transportation is encouraging eligible students to get behind the wheel. 

The third-party company Transdev operates the Wolfline and is responsible for hiring drivers, said Demar Bonnemere, communications manager for NC State Transportation.

“If students meet their requirements, they can be hired,” Bonnemere said. 

Andrea Neri, transportation planning manager at NC State Transportation, said to be hired, students must be at least 21 years of age and have a Commercial Driver License. 

“It takes a little time and some effort, but it shouldn’t be horribly difficult for graduate students or somebody who is at NC State to be able to get a CDL with a passenger extension,” Neri said.

Nerii said the option to have student employees operating the Wolfline isn’t new, but due to the shortage, there’s renewed encouragement to apply.

“They need drivers right now,” Neri said. “Based on operator availability, we definitely know that some routes need more buses, and transit is pretty much ready to put more buses out there if we have more operators.”

Stephen McGuinness, Student Senate president and a fourth-year studying polymer and color chemistry, said Transdev faces competition for hiring from other local bus companies. 

“NC State transit is competing with the market that exists in Raleigh — from GoRaleigh bus drivers to GoCary bus drivers,” McGuinness said. “So that’s why in the past, they had an increase in wages.”

Neri said Transdev is in full control of employment contracts and negotiations. 

“Transdev is more than happy to work around the needs of prospect[ive] drivers,” Neri said.  “The part-time option — called casual part-time — only requires availability for two days a week, for no less than four hours, and it’s very flexible. … The wage has also been increasing consistently over the past couple of years — there’s now a starting salary of $19.07 an hour.”

The idea of student bus drivers may sound alarms to some concerned about safety, but Bonnemere said Transdev will ensure students are properly trained. 

“Transdev is not going to put a driver out there that is going to be a liability for them,” Bonnemere said. “They are going to put them through rigorous training, make sure that they understand how to operate the vehicle and understand the rules of the road. So while safety is always a concern in transportation, Transdev does everything in its power to ensure that they have safe drivers out there.”

Those who meet the requirements to apply to be a Wolfline driver can apply through Transdev’s website or reach out to NC State Transportation with any questions.