Trailblazer struggling to find drivers
Trailblazer Transit is struggling to find drivers for its expanded service, its joint powers board heard Thursday morning.
Executive Director Gary Ludwig said the system has a total of about 10 part-time and full-time slots to fill.
“There are concerns about salary,” said Ludwig. “We were concerned about that coming into this (expanding into Wright County).”
Ludwig said Trailblazer bus drivers start at about $16 an hour.
He noted that overall, wages tend to be higher in Wright County because of its closer proximity to the metro area. Wages there tend to be higher than those offered for similar positions in McLeod and Sibley counties.
Jack Russek, a Delano City Council member who sits on the Trailblazer Joint Powers Board, said that the recovering economy has created a greater need for drivers.
“Everyone is looking for drivers right now,” said Russek. “Schools, construction, everyone.”
McLeod County Commissioner Doug Krueger agreed, saying that Trailblazer is trying to find drivers from a dwindling pool of available employees.
For more, see the March 25 print edition of The Chronicle.