Spanier Bus started in 1957 and was incorporated in 1960, becoming a mainstay for school bus transportation in the St. Cloud Area ever since. Started by Nic Spanier in Luxemburg, the company grew to provide safe, reliable, and efficient transportation for District 742 in St. Cloud along with providing “Charter” services for the surrounding communities. As the area grew, so did the size and needs of the company, prompting the facilities to move to 1310 Sunridge Dr. St. Cloud in the late 1990s. Little did the owners know, at that time, that the move would place the company in the heart of the south side near the new Tech High School, along with Stride and Athlos Academy.
Spanier Bus is currently managed and led by a team of women who share the day-to-day operations of this busy school bus company. Owner Tami Spanier and Operations Manager Carrie Wahnachaffe, along with a team of mechanics, dispatchers, and support staff, keep this busy bus company rolling. Of course, the heart of the operations is the many wonderful drivers and driver assistants who show up each day, rain, snow, or ice, to provide safe transportation for this community’s school-aged children.
One of the biggest challenges in the school bus industry is finding and keeping the best of the best drivers. It is a constant effort and challenge to keep each route covered. So much so that everyone on the management team holds a CDL (commercial driver's license) and can be called on at any time to cover an open route. Carrie shared, “We are proud to keep the business running as needed with “all” boots on the ground – we all work together.”
“As mentioned, hiring qualified drivers and assistants is our biggest challenge. We are continually looking for great people with personalities who will complement our operations. Our motto at Spanier Bus is, ‘We don’t just hire drivers; we hire our neighbors and friends.’ We provide paid training to help applicants obtain a class B CDL license with School Bus, Passenger, and Air Brake endorsements. The passengers on our buses are our main priority, and providing a safe, fun, friendly environment is always at the forefront of our recruiting efforts.”
If you enjoy driving and are looking for rewarding part-time work, Spanier might be just the place. “Employment with Spanier Bus Service is perfect employment for semi-retired individuals, Moms, Dads, and Grandparents who want a schedule conducive to their kids/grandkids, non-traditional students, and anyone who enjoys working with kids. No previous school bus driving experience is necessary, and we’ll provide you with full training. You must have a good driving record and be over 20 years of age.” Regular route hours with Spanier are from 6:30-8:30am and 2:00-4:30pm, and the starting wage is $24 - $26 per hour; if you’re already licensed, you will start at a higher hourly rate. If you want more hours, that is a possibility too. A little-known fact is that the Spanier Family is also the proud owners of Pearl Limousin, based at the Spanier Bus site.
In addition to Drivers, Spanier Bus is also looking for Special Needs Driver Assistants. “If you’re looking for part-time work and enjoy working with children with special needs, this is a great opportunity. Driver Assistants help the route drivers so distractions are minimized and passengers are safe at all times. In addition to training, applicants must be physically fit to assist with job requirements. Assistants start at $18 an hour and are also provided with paid training.”
Spanier Bus Service, Inc. has been supporting community causes, especially those that help our students and aid in their education, since their inception. They are proud partners of area 742 schools, St. John’s Prep, St. Cloud Cathedral, Boy and Girls Club, and the Big Brothers and Sisters organizations of Central Minnesota – to name a few. “One of our most treasured associations is with the Big Brothers and Big Sisters organization. We partnered with them at the inception of Dr. Potter’s Bigs on Campus Program and have provided and sponsored busing for the local Junior and Senior High Schools to SCSU.”
Spanier school bus drivers enjoy several benefits, including flexible scheduling, on-the-job training, sign-on bonuses, and competitive pay. If you or someone you know is interested in joining the Spanier Bus Service team and making a difference in our community, visit their website or Facebook page to learn more. You can apply for open positions online here or stop by their offices at 1310 Sunridge Drive to apply.
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