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

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.

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.

Well true most school boards are cheap. But my school board is trying to remodel a 10 year old building. Every building in the district needs to be “re innovated”. I think it may be more of the superintendent though and their kissing ass.

Asked by Kelly almost 6 years ago

Sometimes renovating a decent building is worth it, but sometimes your best course of action is to start fresh.

If something happens would the driver be liable if the driver saw the student walking to the bus? Is there a better way to handle that situation? Would the driver be liable if it was say a sub and he or she did not know that person was coming?

Asked by Jarred about 6 years ago

That is exactly the reason why we ask students to be ready 5 to 10 minutes before stop time so they are ready to go. So they cannot be held liable.

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.

Oh and by the way there have had two way radio trainings and that has not stuck with them!

Asked by The angry redneck almost 6 years ago

Happens here all the time. The radio can be tied up for 10 minutes or longer on non essential crap.

Hey do you know what the difference is between air brakes and vacuum brakes? Thanks! Also air and vacuum doors, stop arms, etc. Thanks

Asked by Conner almost 6 years ago

I've never heard of vacuum brakes or doors but I can explain manual doors, air brakes, and standard brakes. On a majority of buses, there is an air system that controls the door, stop sign, crossing arm, and brake system. There is a compression tank that fills to capacity when the bus is turned on. Some drivers are required to "bleed" the brakes when the bus is switched off (more on that in a few). When the system is working properly the items come out like they're supposed to and they operate properly. Of course there are overrides for the systems. In both the drivers seat and in the door frame there is a switch that will override the stop system and shut it down if its malfunctioning. The door has an emergency override switch that allows the air to be released so you can open the door in the case of an emergency. Note that manual doors do not have this. They are operated by the driver manually with a hinge that the driver uses to open and close the door from the driver seat. Air brakes are similar in that there is an override for them but it requires you to bleed the tank by pressing the brake pedal till the emergency parking brake pops out and the brakes set on the bus. Some buses do not have this and have the standard brake system found in all cars.