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.

SubscribeGet emails when new questions are answered. Ask Me Anything!Show Bio +

Share:

Ask me anything!

Submit Your Question

1007 Questions

Share:

Last Answer on February 07, 2021

Best Rated

So my state just mandated that schools be closed for the remainder of the term. So what next do you think there will be lay offs? How are they going to do this it must be hard enough to do a month. Many schools are not made for doing this long term. I feel like most places try and say this will never happen and now this is going to be a bigger cluster duckey then it is. Thanks

Asked by So sorry if I post more then once I don't know whats going on right now with the site. over 5 years ago

There have already been some layoffs in some districts. Most districts, I believe, will still in some way be paying their employees their contracted amount. Given that school is a necessary thing and that some jobs such as bus driving can be modified temporarily to accommodate the needs of the students, it is unlikely that things are going to never be needed.

Have you ever worked as a bus aide? Dispatcher? Supervisor? Maintenance or something besides a driver?

Asked by 637816923784612789346192783461278934612789346129378146238974126347891236123612361236123612361236123612361236123612361236123612361236123612361236123612361236123612361236123612361236123612361236123612361236123612361236123612361236123612361236123612361236123 over 5 years ago

Bus aide yes. Not very often though as the need for drivers was much greater.

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 almost 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.

Yea I don’t get it I feel it can cause more of a danger. I understand in some areas because but in many areas the speed limit is 70 MPH and buses get rear ended going 55-40. I don’t see many buses going 55. Thanks for answering

Asked by Ruth almost 6 years ago

It can cause more of a danger in some areas that's why many of us avoid highways with greater speed limits so as to watch out for the safety of our kids.

Entry route. So that’s how it’s set up. Because when we get to the middle school no bus has unloaded yet unless where later getting on. Then the buses are just pulling out when we show up. He said last month that this would not happen anymore.

Asked by Passages almost 6 years ago

See my former answer he's probably trying to figure out proper timing.

Do you have a sub list that you can prefer subs on?

Asked by Stan almost 6 years ago

Some districts require drivers to find their own subs, others choose for them. In my district its a mix. If you have a midday or an extra route, you are responsible for finding your own sub. But if you have to be off your regular route then you have that covered by them.

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 over 5 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.