Contract Employment
3 Solutions to Deliver Safe, Reliable, and Flexible Support for Your District
METS provides flexible contract employment programs that help your school district address driver shortages, strengthen transportation departments, and ensure student safety.
Bus Driver Employment Program
METS helps districts maintain strong, reliable transportation services by filling vacancies caused by retirements or resignations. Our approach draws the best candidates to your district and ensures no current employees are displaced.
Comprehensive Staffing and Support for Your District
- Recruitment for bus drivers, van drivers, aides, mechanics, and more
- Retention tools to encourage consistent, reliable service
- Online application, ELDT-compliant training, and certification management
- Flexible services tailored to your district’s needs
- Support from experienced operations team for onboarding and compliance
"You need people and organizations like this on your team to be effective. On top of having a great partner as part of our team, the METS department has assisted in the hiring and maintaining of transportation staff. That has been HUGE."
Jason Smith, Superintendent
Transportation Department Staffing & Management
METS can employ the transportation director and staff to manage day-to-day operations while your district retains ownership of the bus fleet. This approach allows full implementation of METS policies and practices while minimizing your district’s involvement in daily transportation issues.
Expert Leadership Without Losing Control
Full staffing and management of your transportation department
Retain district fleet ownership and optionality for future operations
Reduce your administrative burden and operational oversight
"The company’s drivers are well-trained, courteous, and attentive to the needs of students and families. While our district still owns the fleet, the company takes pride in ensuring vehicles meet all safety and regulatory requirements."
Dr. Jeffrey Thoenes, Superintendent
Turnkey Transportation Department Operation
For districts looking to fully outsource pupil transportation, METS offers a turnkey solution including both staffing and fleet management. This program allows districts to focus on education while METS ensures safe, efficient transportation operations.
Focus on Classrooms. Let METS Handle Transportation:
Full management of personnel and bus fleet operations
Proven recruiting, training, management, and retention programs
Mitigate challenges of an aging bus fleet without large capital expenses
Streamlined operations that free up your district resources
"I love positively impacting change in the district which carries over to the staff and students."
Patty McKelvie, METS Transportation Supervisor
Why Choose METS Contract Employment?
Flexible service models to meet your district’s unique needs
Protects your current employees while addressing driver shortages
Experienced operations team to manage training, compliance, and staffing
Options ranging from single-position support to full turnkey operations
Frequently Asked Questions
Our current district drivers work under a collective bargaining agreement. Can METS help with the nationwide school bus driver shortage without privatizing these positions?
Yes! METS provides traveling trainers to prepare district employees for the CDL road test. Our Temporary to Permanent program recruits, hires, and onboards substitutes in temporary positions, who can transfer to district employment when CBA-covered routes open.
We’ve been looking for bus drivers for years. How can METS find more drivers?
METS’ team of recruiters and HR professionals specializes in sourcing and screening qualified candidates. By adding dedicated resources, we focus on finding local candidates to fill school bus driver positions, allowing district staff to focus on educating students.
We want to use the expertise of a pupil transportation company but don’t want to lose control of our bus fleet. Can METS help?
Yes. Our training services and contract employment programs allow METS drivers to operate district-owned buses—a widely used model by public school districts for over 17 years.
Our district wants to retain some transportation functions in-house but needs help in specific areas. Can METS assist?
Yes. METS offers flexible solutions tailored to your needs. We can provide additional drivers while you retain the fleet, supplement management, offer training for candidates, or fill management, office, and other transportation roles.
Our district wants to focus on the classroom and step away from pupil transportation. Can METS help?
Yes. Our turnkey solutions manage bus fleets, routing, and transportation staff, eliminating operational headaches so the district can focus on educating students.
Get Started With a Customized Transportation Plan
Ready to create efficiencies and reduce headaches in staffing your transportation department?
Let us help you find the program that is right for your needs.