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

Is it true that sometimes districts and companies illegally use unqualified people to drive buses?

Asked by 885858585 about 6 years ago

All drivers are supposed to pass strict guidelines and licensing requirements as set by federal and state law. We are required to pass a physical every year and comply with DOT standards. Do bad apples get through and do companies attempt to bypass these standards, yes. But rest assured that they nearly always get caught hopefully before lives are at stake.

What are things that delay buses the most? I would assume weather, maintenance, trains, traffic, wrecks, no sub, bus driver late for work, having to pick up other passengers on other routes, etc. What do you think is the most and did I miss any?

Asked by YOUR BFF LOL almost 6 years ago

Weather, traffic, and trains are my top three followed by shortage of staff issues. It's no secret that there's been a bus driver shortage lately mainly due to the behavior of the kids and the low pay offered to put up with the behavior issues. Rarely a maintenance issue pops up, but it does happen. Even the most "on time" bus driver can be late.

If a bus is equipped with two strobes (one in the front, and one in the back or middle) do they both come on with one switch or do they each have their own or does it depend?

Asked by Kay almost 6 years ago

Honestly I don't know. I've only had experience with one strobe light which is operated by one switch inside the bus.

Also, I assume drivers get a lot of days off since they can get subs would I be right or wrong?

Asked by 05689 about 6 years ago

Even in this crisis we still have a driver shortage.

Do you think Chris Farley is delivering lunches to kids? Uh oh...

Asked by YOU KNOW about 6 years ago

Uh no.

Why is my kids lunch being delivered late? It was 11;00 but now it is like 1, 2, even 4:00 once

Asked by Dave almost 6 years ago

Sometimes delays happen due to shortages of staff or an inability to function due to more restrictions for the safety of students and drivers and other staff. Just be patient. This covid-19 stuff is all new to us.

Would my district change the write up system from the drivers would choose how many days off the bus change to it has to got through a administrator who may or may not do anything and could even go all out and give a extreme punishment. I know some drivers have abused the system or not used it at all but how is this better?

Asked by 933738292 over 6 years ago

I wish we had this system. It would cut out the middle man, though I think that some oversight is needed if a driver does abuse it, like if a child has been written up more than 3 times and kicked off the bus, then future issues need to be handled through administration and driver collaboration. The problem facing drivers is that parents refuse to see their child could be a problem.