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

What happens if a Kindergartner needs the bathroom while on the bus? Do you make a stop?

Asked by CT Mom over 6 years ago

That depends on the distance to the home. If the child is still 45 minutes from getting home, we will often make a decision to let them use the restroom at a school approved location (ie another school or the board office or the bus barn) Little kids are not as able to hold their bladders like older kids are.

Why do districts provide transportation if their not required to? I feel like while it’s a convenience it’s more money, a lot more time, and more energy when you could just make it to where it’s the responsibility of the family and the student. some districts I think do

Asked by The only way better is the fact over 6 years ago

Because some kids would never come to school if transportation wasn't provided. Some parents just do not care about their kids education or can't be bothered to make sure they go to school.

Should this bus driver be fired?
https://youtu.be/r98ZpcBjKKM

Asked by Your friend over 6 years ago

It happens that we make mistakes and pull put in front of people if there are blind corners as what appears in the video here.

I don't know what your supposed to do in lightning so evidently your a dumb ass if your wanting in it but then sometimes bus stops are far from home and if you wait inside and the bus driver does not see you immediately then you deserve to miss thebus

Asked by Jake about 6 years ago

Generally when it storms I make sure to give my kids extra time to get from their houses to my bus I don't feel that it is necessary to rush a child in getting on a bus because they could get injured if they rush. It is important to me to make sure that the children have ample time to get from their houses to the bus.

Why in Missouri do they require buses to have two stop arms?

Asked by Pj over 6 years ago

Visibility. Most older buses will have one stop sign and one crossing gate. Newer buses will have 2 stop signs and 1 crossing gate. In some states they are even piloting a program where they are extending the stop arm out about 5 feet into the opposing lane to make it even more visible and make sure drivers know to STOP!!! The biggest issue we have as drivers is the sheer number of people who ignore our flashing lights and stop signs even though they had plenty of warning to stop. It's an epidemic and I fear the day my bus kids are going to get hurt over it.

Do you think it’s appropriate to listen to Alex Jones on the bus with kids? Kids are highly receptive. Same with NPR

Asked by Jeff over 6 years ago

Not necessarily. It's probably boring to kids and personally i prefer to play something that is kid friendly.

Sorry if this is a bit long but. We had a incident with a driver from the football team a few years back. We had this older lady who was really mean. So what happened was well I guess she yelled non stop at the foot ball players, the few cheerleaders, as well as even one of the adults on the bus all the way to the game. When they coaches, teachers, and sharpens would try to solve a problem so she would not get so mad she would immediately start screaming at whoever they where getting onto. I guess she went on a rant about her job, how bad they all are, and how they think their so rough and cool. This in it of its self is really nothing to write home about because sometimes drivers yell whatever. This lady though was cussing at times and when they got to the school they where going to play at the coach wanted to be let off at a certain point. The driver refused and there was a huge argument. They where screaming and cussing at eachother and told everyone to get the “F” off her bus and threatened to not pick them back up and they can go charter. This gets better after the game she was really upset the game ran late and threw a fit. She also threw a fit because they smelled bad and that they did not take a shower threaten to pull over at a truck stop and make them shower. She also made them go back to the school with the windows down at 70 miles per hour (roughly). She also argued with parents at the school.

Asked by Ryan almost 6 years ago

First yes she should be reprimanded or at least told her behavior is unacceptable. Sometimes our jobs suck but it isn't appropriate to take it out on the kids or other adults on the bus. If she really hated her job that much then she shouldn't drive a bus. That being said the only issue where she might be in the right would be where the coach wanted the team dropped off. Sometimes as drivers we are given separate instructions on how to unload and where to safely unload.