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

Do bus drivers really even follow the 55 law?

Asked by Ruth about 6 years ago

Most of the time we follow the posted speed limit. Though the maximum speed we should go is 55, it can be dangerous in a highway situation so we tend to bend the rules and top out the buses usually if they're governed at 60 or 65 in order to not impede traffic. Some companies and districts do not govern their buses and those are the ones we see most often speeding way faster than they need to be with kids lives at stake. Personally I don't think i could go faster than 59 to 61 with children on board.

Those regulations are a joke and no one follows them. So what are they going to do about it really? It’s a waste of money to get rid of a good bus that could be updated and retrofitted and buy a whole new bus. That new bus could explains the fleetBut instead it’s replacing a bus that did not need replacing. I don’t think they where breaking any regulations in my state. So it’s just weird.

Asked by Kelly about 6 years ago

Retrofitting a bus costs about as much money as purchasing a brand new one off the line. Sometimes its cheaper to get new and as the buses age its like cars, the parts become obsolete and unavailable over time.

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 about 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.

I know someone who was almost struck by lightning a few years ago waiting on the bus. Who can be sued if struck be lightning?

Asked by Jdjdjdjd about 6 years ago

Truthfully if you were standing out in the storm that makes you a dumbass. Waiting for a bus or not is beside the point, if you don't feel safe to do so always ask your parents to either take you or sit with you in their vehicles at the stop.

My kid been having problems with the bus monitor she called my daughter a hoe on a Friday we called up to the bus and they were supposed to let us know if it did happen or not then on Monday 3 kids told me she was in my 11 year old face now she scare

Asked by Tasha about 6 years ago

It sounds like the monitor might not need to be on the bus but you can ask for video to be pulled which has audio recording and it will also show if your child was showing out and the monitor was correcting her by telling her to sit down and behave. We have a lot of kids who try to get us as drivers in trouble for saying things when they are angry they got in trouble in the first place.

Okay so I want to ask this without sounding mean. Why do you think some drivers like to pull in five, ten, even fifteen minutes before the doors open? Is it maybe for hours so they can say they get paid more? Or do you think they just want to be there early so if something happens they wont have to worry about being late? Just curious.

Asked by Asker dmsjsjdndn over 6 years ago

Some like to be first in line. I'll never understand why they decide to pull in and wait. It makes no sense to me. That's why i plan my route to be done right on time.

Hey do you think I will get written up if I get in the tool box?

Asked by Dawg coollllllll kid about 6 years ago

Probably. Just don't do it because you can lose your riding privilege. Don't say i didn't warn you.