School Bus Driver

School Bus Driver

The Bus Driver

15 Years Experience

South, ..

Female, 37

I have been a bus driver since late 2006. I know the inside story, the scoop, the down low dirt of what it takes to be a bus driver, how to handle kids and adults, and how to survive on the "streets" so to speak. I used to have a blog, feel free to browse it or ask me a question here.

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Last Answer on February 07, 2021

Best Rated

Why do kids and teens disrespect younger drivers more then older ones? Our new driver graduated a year or two ago and they are extremely disrespectful. Way more then they where to previous drivers? What do they think gives them the right?

Asked by Hsbsbbsbs over 6 years ago

Mostly because when you're a younger driver you are more of an age peer than an authority figure. They figure it out real quick when you write them up for their bullshit.

Do bus drivers really ever make a kid come to the bus barn and help them clean the bus or repair damage? I have had a few threaten it before just curious.

Asked by RAAARW about 6 years ago

Potentially yes if permission is given by parents and the supervisor of the bus barn. Truthfully just clean up after yourselves and we won't have an issue.

Why do not all buses have yellow warning lights only the reds? So it’s harder to know when the bus is approaching a stop Especially in rural areas.

Asked by Mile over 6 years ago

It depends on the manufacturer and state regulations as to what is required to be on a bus.

what is the weirdest item a student brought on your bus?

Asked by ash over 6 years ago

Truthfully, I haven't had any weird or odd items brought on my bus. Though once I had a pre k kid bring a bag of acorns on the bus and tell me to look at his nuts. I told him to put his nuts away and that they were very nice nuts. Another kid asked if they could hold his nuts and I had to say no you cannot hold his nuts.

Good point. Now would it be better if the bus was used on a long route or be a extra spare bus until needed for a district that had a lot of trips that went out of state. Or is this still overkill?

Asked by Interviewer over 6 years ago

That's a tough question. Most districts purchase buses based on capacity and usability. The capacity of these buses are 48 passenger, 40 for the ones that are wheelchair accessible. The standard capacity for a school bus is 72 passengers at 3 to a seat. Of course this figure is impossible the older and larger a child gets. My route alone takes me an hour and a half in the morning and almost 2 hours in the afternoon. I transport more than 85 to 90 children across all age groups on a good day. A bus like that while appealing because of the comfort items, is impractical because even at full capacity i would need to make at minimum 2 rounds to get everyone to and from school. Many routes are designed to have the maximum number of ridership and in some cases will exceed that amount. Even on the longer routes. If the district had drivers available and enough finances available then sure. But otherwise i think it would waste valuable resources.

Do you like country music?

Asked by Jack over 6 years ago

Yes.

Do you think this virus will close down schools and what precautions are they taking?

Asked by Worried about 6 years ago

Many school districts are already choosing to voluntarily close in an effort to curtail any mass spread of a disease that has a high infection rate. This is known as social distancing. They recognize that putting several children in a confined space (classrooms, buses, and cafeterias) are prime sources for the spread of germs whether intentional or non intentional and given the risk to the immunocompromised being proactive is better than being reactive. My district is shutting down for 3 weeks and they will be disinfecting the schools and buses in an effort to curtail the spread of germs.