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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Last Answer on February 07, 2021

Best Rated

Okay this happens months ago but I want to see what you think. Okay my Ag teacher who drives a bus of the class down to the school farm took a phone call while he was driving. Should I have said something?

Asked by Jims over 6 years ago

Again situational. Depending on the situation at hand the rule states no phone use primarily. That being said if he wasn't a normal driver he might not have thought about it. Truthfully, I've taken phone calls but usually make them brief as unless its an emergency it can wait.

Why are parents and students so mean to subs? They are just trying to do their job and they are yelled at they are too early, too late, made a simple wrong turn and can easly turn around. Also kids are usually for them then their regular driver.

Asked by afasdfa almost 7 years ago

Subs have a more difficult job than regular drivers because they do take the brunt of problems if a kid misbehaves or is not out at the stop. That being said no route is without problems and problem kids. The trick is to figure out how to approach it.

I could have swore there was another bus driver on here at one time. Was there or have you always been the only one?

Asked by JJ almost 7 years ago

I have no clue. I know I'm one of the only school bus driver threads?? I'm not entirely sure though.

There is also a video of a bus driver blowing a whistle in a kids ear and yelling at him.

Asked by Jeff almost 7 years ago

Thats unacceptable.

After talking to some witnesses & another mom, I feel that my 5yr old is being suspended unfairly. He has been accused of throwing an object, when he simply only dropped it, and for getting up. I was told she writes kids up for talking. What can I do

Asked by Momof2 over 6 years ago

You can ask for the video tape to be pulled off the bus and reviewed by the administrators. Truthfully if he was consistently not staying in his seat and the administration saw that, then they are justified in suspending him. He may also have thrown an object not just dropped it. Point is there should be video of the incident in question. If he was suspended unfairly, the video would show and clear his name.

What happens when a school bus has to enter gated neighborhood like how do you open the gate?

Asked by Mr. Dr. Professor Patrick almost 7 years ago

The bus driver is given the code by the association that owns the gate and generally like everyone else has to press in the code to open the gate. Some gated communities are open during certain periods of the day like commuter times to allow buses in and out. Some are open during the day and close only at night. Some require a remote to open and the bus is provided with that. There's ways around it. Some communities have a gate guard that will let a bus in and out.

Why is there such a shortage of bus drivers?

Asked by Maya almost 7 years ago

Because the job is severely underpaid for the hours and dedication we put in as drivers. Lots of places won't hire a person to work part time for the hours that we are available since our schedule is so unique and our pay isn't even close to what would be a livable wage.