SIT board to continue school routes

During its regular meeting Thursday, the Southern Iowa Trolley board of directors decided it will keep routes for students of St. Malachy School, but only if it has sufficient drivers for the routes.

“We’ve worked really hard the past few weeks and months,” said Leesa Lester, SIT transit director.

In March, parents of St. Malachy students who ride the SIT bus, received a letter which stated that the board had to review routes for students due to rising costs and a shortage of drivers at SIT. At least one route – from Greenfield to Creston – was briefly suspended after a driver had put in their notice.

Lester has said she, and the SIT board, do not want to cancel or suspend any routes or services, but the organization's offerings are based heavily on its ability to hire quality licensed drivers.

“Just recently I had to let go of a driver. He had problems passing a random drug test,” said Lester.

Even though SIT had previous drivers shortage issues, SIT recently hired two new drivers in the Creston area.

During Thursday’s meeting, Lester began by suggesting keeping the routes and the board concluded that SIT will continue routes as they are.

“Please understand, that if somebody quits, we could run into a hiccup again, but hopefully that doesn’t happen,” said Kraig Pennington, Ringgold Supervisor.

SIT currently does not have a backup plan in the event of driver availability, and at times, it is Lester who has to leave the office and pick up a route. However, the board will continue to explore ways to avoid any inconvenience.