CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- The wheels on the bus are working hard to get your students to school both on time, and safely this year.

• CMS is working on closing a driver shortage gap
• 28 drivers set for training over the next two weeks and another class set to start in early September
• "Here Comes the Bus" app will go live on Aug. 27

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools Transportation Director Adam Johnson is confident all the buses will be out and about to pick up the kids as they are working on closing a driver shortage gap. 

So far, Johnson explained they have 28 drivers set for training over the next two weeks and another class is set to start in early September. A bonus program for current employees is incentivizing them to help with recruitment efforts. 

"Incremental bonus. Once they're in class they get a $25 bonus, once they've helped them pass it's another $25 bonus and once they've stayed employed with us for 60 days its another $150 bonus," said Johnson.

Bus safety is also a big concern especially after two fires last fall.

"Every bus has gone through an inspection process with our technicians. We've put extra measures in place with additional spot checks from supervisors as well as fleet director," said Johnson

The "Here Comes the Bus" app will go live once more on Aug. 27. It tracks the fleet and stop times for riders. We're told with new stops and traffic patterns, the stop times may not sync up until mid-to-late September.