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

Why do people think these forms are chat rooms?

Asked by Donaldsoneeson over 5 years ago

I don't know?

Can you write up a student for saving seats even if they did not give attitude? My bus driver asked for my name as i was getting off the bus because for the second time i didnt want anyone next to me when there were other seats open. Can she do that?

Asked by music over 5 years ago

Yes. If the driver is telling you and others where to sit you do not get to dictate who sits where and with who. Sorry it doesn't work that way. Slide in and make a new friend.

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 5 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.

When you request subs do you do it online or the old fashion way? Do you have a program like ASOP or something like that you just put your going to be gone on so and so and then subs get a text.

Asked by Don’Marie over 5 years ago

Again that varies district by district. Some districts have a sub list, others have an automated system and still others will have the traditional call in and have your supervisor find somebody to run your route.

Thanks. I would I be required to stop for say a church bus with red lights and a stop sign?

Asked by Kimberly over 5 years ago

Better to be safe than sorry. You wouldn't want to chance a child getting hurt.

Do you need a CDL to drive a mini bus?

Asked by Joel over 5 years ago

It's always best to have a cdl class b to drive any commercial vehicle but it depends on the company's requirements.

Also, why has your questions gone down again? Do you think someone is spam posting questions or that it was just because it was the begging of the year? Other elxmation?

Asked by Jill over 5 years ago

Probably because the beginning of the year has dropped off. I'll generally get another surge of questions in January.