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 districts provide transportation if their not required to? I feel like while it’s a convenience it’s more money, a lot more time, and more energy when you could just make it to where it’s the responsibility of the family and the student. some districts I think do

Asked by The only way better is the fact over 6 years ago

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.

Should I call the bus barn after the bus took off and the neighbors could not get their lunch because she honked then drove off as soon as they came out. I don't know how much money they have and that driver could have caused them to miss a meal

Asked by Jay over 6 years ago

Being that some systems are on a certain schedule, it's likely the parent has been notified of when the bus will be there to drop food. If you did witness this, the neighborly thing to do would be to check on the family and ask if you can help them by calling the bus barn. It's hard to say whether or not they've already been told "be out at x time we will be there at y time" just like a normal bus stop. I would err on the side of caution and be polite with a phone call.

I know some routes in my district go multiple different places. So it makes the route bigger but instead of picking up EVERY kid in a neighbourhood we will take a little off another bus. Then they can do transfers.

Asked by Dsmmsdm almost 7 years ago

Again it depends on district and district policy on how they run routes.

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 almost 7 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.

Do buses ever have outside temperature on the dash or where ever else like many cars do?

Asked by Gentlemen over 6 years ago

Mine does not, though i am not sure about the newest buses we have.

Hey also when on trips can your radios get on channel 19 so you can talk and if something happens you can talk with other drivers on the road or can only other bus drivers talk?

Asked by Merry over 6 years ago

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.

Hello why do some places like to make you turn around a 100 times and then yell at you for being late? Also, what’s the point in going back and picking up a student and making everyone behind because they decided for the upteenth time to be late and got left?!

Asked by Mrs. Bitchyasshole over 6 years ago

It depends on district policy as to what is acceptable in certain circumstances. We live in an entitled world where the thought process is me first and never tell me "no". Sadly this is not how the world works primarily and the sooner kids learn this concept the better. For me, if a child is a chronically late person, they get bus left and i will not return to pick them up. If the child has never been late and was just having a bad morning or an off morning, i might consider going back if its not too far out of my way. We also have a policy that they need to be out at each stop 5 min prior to avoid issues like this.