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

Why are some bus drivers show up as early as possible so we can sit in the bus lot for thirty minutes and do nothing. Others show up at the last possible minute? What’s up with that? My bus comes at 6:45 this year a few years ago it was 7:15.

Asked by Dann over 6 years ago

Are other kids getting on your bus while you wait at.the bus lot? There may have been some changes to where other drivers are forced to hold other kids while the now empty drivers go out and pick up more kids. Personally I time my route so that I don't have to wait in line.

Why do parents show up in droves when a bus driver pulls over due to excessive noise? I have seen videos of it and it makes me mad because I bet the driver pulled over and told them to be quite and then they start getting louder. I mean the noise level in the buses I have seen. Do the parents expect the driver to drive with that kind of screaming like wild banshees? Seriously?! The parents make it worse because I assume the driver can’t just let kids off with random people for all the driver probably knows. Their kids aren’t dying and if they shut up for a few minutes I bet they would have been on their merry way. Just let the supervisor, principle, and/or police show up take care of it then maybe they will let your kids off too you or they will continue on home or school. I understand they may be scared if the district never contacts the parents and they are twenty minutes late but when they know what happened why do they do that? Even calling the cops saying their kids are held hostage and make it sound like the driver put a gun to their heads. Anyways what do you think and have you ever been in a situation like this?

Asked by DJ over 6 years ago

DJ, first off how the heck did you get around the character limit??? Secondly, we live in a society of "me first." If anyone, including children, feel they are being wronged by anyone, their first instinct is to scream discrimination. It's sad, but a reality. With free access to social media and giving our children free access to these items, we create a level of distrust in everyone. Adults that were once held in a position of authority are now being stripped of that authority in order to further our own agendas.

All it takes in a situation like you described is a kid to call a parent and falsely accuse someone of doing something that they are not. We are so quick to blame as a country and to point the fingers at someone else that we fail to see the actual source of the blame and take care of the initial problem. So while the initial problem may be unruly disrespectful children, it is blown out of proportion to make the persons in charge at fault for the initial behavior. This is a direct result of a "not me" society. We refuse to take responsibility for our actions and therefore the blame lies with someone other than ourselves when it should lie directly with ourselves. The perceived injustice to themselves is never their own fault.

People need to start taking responsibility for their actions. As far as being in that situation, I have had furious parents who decidedly cuss me out for something that I did not do. It's frustrating because you are put in an impossible situation.

What do you think about eating and drinking on your bus? Are more lax as long as there is not mess? or are you more of no ones eating unless their starving to death or your a diabetic?

Asked by Jimmies over 6 years ago

I prefer they didn't eat on my bus because I don't want them to choke while the bus is moving. I understand that kids will be kids and they will eat, but as long as they're responsible about it and do not leave a mess or create more problems i generally won't say anything.

Should I report this bus driver? So I guess our bus was running late and the bus that is 20min before our bus was late. We thought it was our bus so we crossed the road and she ALMOST HIT US! Never said sorry or anything

Asked by Karmen over 6 years ago

Well first off, never cross the road without signal from the driver. You are safer in your own yard than crossing the road before they get there especially in the first few days of school. The driver probably didn't see you because they obviously were not expecting you to come out of the yard or home. Especially if you are not a listed stop on their route. Remember you are still dealing with vehicles. You wouldn't just walk in front of a taxi in NYC just because it's yellow and going in your general direction. Don't be stupid and get killed.

How did DJ ask that long ass question? I can barely even get my whole question across sometimes because of a character limit. But I think he long surpassed that. Can you set it different for certain people?

Asked by Eric over 6 years ago

Honestly i have no clue!! I'm going to answer his question later today

For real try and write me up for a dirty bus when I clean my bus every day. Other weird stuff they pull. The director of transportation is a good guy. They do it to other drivers too. Advice? I have chilled a bit. Then they talk about misbehavior

Asked by Carlene almost 7 years ago

Take photos of your bus that's been clean and document document document. If you're writing kids up for little things then maybe its time you found another job?

So you think though if a sub came 20 minutes early and there was no notice and it was a mistake. That they should have sent the bus back or did something in that case? Do you think the sub would be reprimanded?

Asked by James over 6 years ago

Reprimanded, no. As the rider you need to be ready for the bus to come at any point. Generally we tell our kids be ready 10 minutes early just incase. Generally if the sub is following the driver's instructions then it's your fault you missed the bus. Most buses stop and other kids are getting on at the same time.