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.
Because some kids would never come to school if transportation wasn't provided. Some parents just do not care about their kids education or can't be bothered to make sure they go to school.
Buses are customizable in many ways. The standard basic bus has your drivers seat, steering wheel, student seats, the classic yellow body, and all the lights as required by state. Newer buses will have LED lights as these last longer. Newer buses also have a DEF system that allows for fuel to be processed cleaner than others. The customizable options are more for driver and passenger comfort like air conditioners, air ride seats for the driver, adjustable steering wheels, cruise control (some states do not allow cruise control to be used), speed governor, electric mirrors that both adjust and defrost control from inside the bus, whether to use an air brake system or not. Whether to make the bus automatic or not. Seatbelts in some states.... the options really are endless and depends on what each district needs in a bus.
Good question. Most employers in general ask for at minimum a highschool diploma even though you can get things like a drivers license and other things without one because they want to see how dedicated a person is to finishing what they start. A high school diploma (or GED) also shows that a person has dedicated time to finish something that was far more difficult than just a simple test. Stay in school.
Retrofitting a bus costs about as much money as purchasing a brand new one off the line. Sometimes its cheaper to get new and as the buses age its like cars, the parts become obsolete and unavailable over time.
School Bus Driver
Do the kids treat you with the same amount of respect as other authority figures at school?Zookeeper and Animal Trainer
Are a lot of people in your line of work vegetarian/vegan?Peace Corps Volunteer
Are Peace Corps volunteers just a bunch of "hippie freaks?"Probably because the beginning of the year has dropped off. I'll generally get another surge of questions in January.
Its bus drivers choice really. Ask your driver?
Most bus companies have a radio system that allows buses to communicate with each other. Though generally the frequency is not available to the public and we cannot communicate with other buses outside the district. Occasionally our frequencies will interfere and interact with the 911 tone out for emergency response and we hear the dispatch. Or can hear the police channel of another city.
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