Bus Driver Shortage Disrupts Cumberland Valley Schools

News Summary

A significant bus driver shortage has resulted in multiple route cancellations in the Cumberland Valley School District, affecting over 10,500 students and prompting parents to seek alternative transportation. The Susquehanna Township School District is also facing similar issues, leading to the closure of two elementary schools. Both districts are working to address the ongoing transportation challenges, reminding families to update their contact information and participate in surveys to improve service efficiency.

Cumberland Valley, PA — A significant bus driver shortage has led to multiple bus route cancellations in the Cumberland Valley School District, impacting more than 10,500 students. On August 26, 2025, five bus routes were reported canceled, with families receiving notifications around 1:30 PM. Parents were instructed to arrange alternative transportation for their children as the disruptions affected several school buildings within the district.

The bus driver shortage did not only affect Cumberland Valley; the Susquehanna Township School District also faced transportation issues, prompting the closure of two elementary schools: Anna Carter Primary and Thomas Holtzman Elementary. These closures were attributed to unexpected transportation problems related to the same driver shortage affecting many districts across the state.

Both school districts have experienced ongoing challenges with their contracted transportation providers, informing families that delays and cancellations might continue as this issue persists. Cumberland Valley School District has made efforts to communicate alterations in the transportation schedule, generally aiming to notify families by 8 PM the evening prior to any cancellations. However, last-minute changes have proven unavoidable.

To mitigate the impact of these challenges, Cumberland Valley has reminded families to ensure their contact information is up to date in the district’s Skyward system. Additionally, they encouraged parents to complete a Transportation Survey aimed at improving route efficiency.

Susquehanna Township School District has planned to use their Campus Messenger System to keep families informed about transportation updates throughout the week, working diligently to address the ongoing driver shortage. The district’s commitment to reliable transportation remains strong, as the administration explores long-term strategies to resolve this critical issue.

The challenges with bus drivers are not unique to Cumberland Valley and Susquehanna Township. They reflect a broader trend seen among many school districts in Pennsylvania and beyond. Both districts received late-night notifications about the shortages, complicating effective communication to families. Superintendent Mark A. Blanchard of Cumberland Valley expressed appreciation for family patience during these difficult times as they collaborate with transportation providers to navigate the situation.

Contracted transportation providers, like Shultz Transportation and Rohrer Bus, are also grappling with the staffing crisis. Shultz Transportation, which services both districts, is implementing a range of strategies to retain current drivers while addressing the recruitment of new hires. In parallel, Rohrer Bus has ramped up its recruitment efforts and revised training processes to expand the pool of available bus drivers.

In summary, the current bus driver shortage has triggered significant disruptions in both the Cumberland Valley and Susquehanna Township School Districts, affecting multiple schools and requiring parental adjustments for student transportation. The ongoing situation is symptomatic of a larger issue that many school districts are facing, leading to concerted efforts by both the districts and their transportation providers to find viable solutions.

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Additional Resources

• ABC 27: Cumberland Valley School District Experiences Bus Cancellations
• WGAL: PA School Bus Driver Shortage – Classes Canceled
• PennLive: Bus Shortage Shuts Down Dauphin County Schools
• CBS News: Winter Storm Delays and Cancellations
• Google Search: Bus Driver Shortage