D.C. Metro hit with severe staff shortage
The agency needs to fill more than 210 vacant positions for bus operators, train operators and station managers. A hiring freeze, stricter standards and retiring operators are behind the majority of staff losses.
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority officials say that the agency needs to increase its pool of bus operators to fill more than 210 vacancies: 91 for bus operators, 62 for train operators and 61 for station managers, The Washington Post reports.
Due to the shortage, the agency is currently spending 50 percent more than its goal in overtime for bus drivers. Metro officials say the bus driver shortage resulted in part from a hiring freeze in 2008 and losing about 10 bus operators a month through retirement and termination. For the full story, click here.
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