No Bus Driver Shortage In North Andover: Superintendent Gilligan

NORTH ANDOVER, MA — North Andover Public Schools buses are fully staffed, Superintendent Gregg Gilligan said, in stark contrast to nearby districts where shortages have resulted in rampant delays.

The shortage across the state is bad enough that the Massachusetts National Guard has been activated to assist nearby districts with the same issue.

Up to 250 Guard members will be available to help districts, with 90 initially being trained to help in Chelsea, Lawrence, Lowell and Lynn. The National Guard is providing drivers for school transport vans known as 7D vehicles.

But North Andover buses have been fully staffed, Gilligan said. He had no explanation why. The district contracts with NRT for busing — a company that serves many of the districts with a driver shortage.

"At the beginning of the year, it always takes a little while to get the routes down, to get into the routine," Gilligan said. "But otherwise, it's been pretty normal."

Christopher Huffaker can be reached at 412-265-8353 or chris.huffaker@patch.com.