AUBURN – With the start of school just around the corner, Maine schools are facing a shortage of bus drivers.

“It’s difficult to attract people to the bus driver’s job,” said Harvey Boatman, education specialist for transportation at the Maine Department of Education.

The shortage of bus drivers has been a problem statewide and nationally for the last few years, and likely will only get worse, he said.

School bus drivers in Maine average $9 to $11 an hour, generally have no benefits and must work split shifts that give them less than 40 hours a week, Boatman said.

And while drivers at private bus companies can receive unemployment benefits when they don’t work during summer vacation, drivers in the public school system cannot.

Working conditions are not ideal, either.

While their back is turned to 60 or more kids, school bus drivers must stick to a strict schedule, drive safely and contend with rowdy passengers, discipline problems and fights – all without help.

To top it off, bus drivers get little respect. “Bus drivers are looked on as a lower end job,” said Boatman.

To help keep drivers and attract new workers, some school systems and private companies are offering new incentives and benefits.

Hudson Bus Lines pays its employees for snow days. School Union 29, which includes Poland, Minot and Mechanic Falls, provides medical insurance, sick days, bereavement days and personal days. SAD 17, which includes the Oxford Hills area, offers on-site driver training and problem-solving and leadership training.

Still, many districts are having trouble finding people this year, and some have resorted to signing bonuses and free training.

Others have relied on innovative advertising to bring people in. Auburn has been placing a large yellow school bus posted with a “help wanted” sign in front of various schools this summer.