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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1007 Questions

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Last Answer on February 07, 2021

Best Rated

Do bus drivers really even follow the 55 law?

Asked by Ruth over 5 years ago

Most of the time we follow the posted speed limit. Though the maximum speed we should go is 55, it can be dangerous in a highway situation so we tend to bend the rules and top out the buses usually if they're governed at 60 or 65 in order to not impede traffic. Some companies and districts do not govern their buses and those are the ones we see most often speeding way faster than they need to be with kids lives at stake. Personally I don't think i could go faster than 59 to 61 with children on board.

Do yo ever have problems with white knighting when you get someone in trouble?

Asked by Jill over 5 years ago

I had to look up that term. Often parents don't want to hear that their children did something wrong and will often deflect or attempt to deflect the problem in order to draw attention away from their children's behavior.

An example: little Johnny hit on the bus.Momma: well little suzie told him to!

You can delete this too because I have made so many comments now sorry. But as you can tell the drivers names are on there too.

Asked by Dj over 5 years ago

Drivers names aren't bad to have on there. Parents can look up a route then call the shop and say hey i found my kids route with x driver and it helps the shop narrow it down so parents can get in contact with the driver.

I heard that there are limits on how long bus routes can be. Is this true and is there exceptions for rural districts or districts that cover a large area in general? I personally would rather a longer route then a overcrowded one too.

Asked by Dsmmsdm over 5 years ago

It depends on the district. We are shorthanded everywhere so overcrowding is bound to happen. Routes are made longer and schools are not changing the way they do things to accommodate the sheer number and stress we are under. The amount of kids also depends on the location of the route. A rural route is less crowded but longer whereas a city route can be very crowded at times.

Why when a bus is on fire the horn sounds off?

Asked by Joesph over 5 years ago

That happens with most vehicles when something triggers the electrical system to malfunction. When the fire heats up the electrical system it shorts out and melts together likely causing the systems connected to go off. That is why you see and hear car alarms, flashing lights, and the horn when something like that happens till the fire finally kills the system entirely.

Hi, have you ever had to start your route a hour early to pick up another neighborhood because there where no subs or other bus to? This happend to slmeonethat he got called at 5:00 saying the bus would be a hour early for that reason. Is this common

Asked by Jaiden over 5 years ago

No, but i have had to run another route after mine is done, or squeeze more kids on my bus in the afternoons to get them home. There is a driver shortage everywhere and no relief in sight.

Are districts ever legally required to close, delay, or dismiss early because of inclement weather? Or is it completely district decision? Why are some districts open come hell or high water and others close for flurries?

Asked by Funny bear over 5 years ago

No not legally required. There are special circumstances where it might happen (like a terrorist attack which may close down major cities etc) but most states leave the decision up to the individual districts and schools to make that call.