Kalamazoo Metro implementing service adjustments starting Monday, August 28

KALAMAZOO, MI (WKZO AM/FM) – As the push is on to hire more metro bus drivers in Kalamazoo, the public transportation firm is having to make some adjustments due to the decrease in bus driver staffing over the past couple of months.

Metro officials say because of this, they are actively seeking Coach Operators whom they say they are willing to provide paid Commercial Driver’s License, or CDL training. Those interested in applying can do so online at kmetro.com/employment or email Metro’s Human Resources Manager at deyoungc@kmetro.com.

Metro has provided 30-minute service at :15 and :45 after every hour from 6:45 am to 6:45 pm on the 14-West Main, 7-Alamo, 11-Stadium Drive, and 2-Portage Road service since May 2023. The service adjustment will eliminate the :45 service on these routes. They will continue to run at :15 after every hour from 6:15 am to 10:15 pm Monday through Saturday.

The 1-Westnedge and 9-Gull Road routes also run at :15 and :45 after every hour from 5:45 am to 5:45 pm. The 16- Lovell currently runs from 5:45 am to 6:45 pm. Effective August 28, 2023, the 1-Westnedge,9- Gull Road, and 16-Lovell routes will run from 12:45 pm to 5:45 pm Monday through Friday only.

The :45 service has been eliminated from 5:45 am to 11:45 am The :45 Lovell service from 5:45 pm to 6:45 pm has also been eliminated. They will continue to run at :15 after every hour from 6:15 am to 10:15 pm Monday through Saturday.

“Metro has been successful over the past year to stabilize and slowly rebuild our team of drivers that saw very high turn-over at the beginning of the pandemic,” said Sean McBride, Executive Director for Metro. “Unfortunately, we have recently lost more drivers than we have been able to hire. Metro is working very hard to attract new drivers to the Metro team. Metro is very committed to proving exceptional public transit service, so we can get our riders to work, school and essential services.”