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

It is no secret that buses are a breeding ground for bacteria, viruses, etc so how are the buses cleaned like this? What do you use? Or have you done cleaning at all?

Asked by COVID-19 over 6 years ago

We generally deep clean the buses at least once per year. By that I mean get in every nook and cranny, dig out trash between the seat and walls, scrape gum off the bottom of the seats. Wash the ceiling. In the mean time, we do sweep our buses at minimum once a week. During cold and flu season we spray the seats down with disinfectant spray or wipe them down with lysol wipes and spray or clean the windows.

Can the board and transportation have desertion over whether to transport students who don’t live in the district but go to school in the district for one reason or another. I heard word on the street they may start but I don’t know if they can.

Asked by Don over 6 years ago

Yes they can have discretion to provide transportation to out of district kids. In our district if a parent chooses to enroll their child out of district, they are responsible for transporting that child.

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.

How do I not get a certain sub again? I always get complaints on her and she messes with seat controls, changes the radio station, leaves windows down, climate controls, etc. I also get a lot of negative feedback about her.

Asked by Glynn over 6 years ago

So you expect a sub to not adjust a seat and mirrors to help them do their jobs? Things like that are a safety concern for the students. If a sub cannot see adequately out the mirrors and out the dash board you are putting the kids at risk. As far as leaving windows down, the sub should put the windows up. Radio stations are an easy fix. Have the driver put their favorite stations on a separate band. Generally radios have 3 bands of FM radio available. When they plan to be out, simply inform them to switch the band that way their presets are not messed with.

You know every Karen in the neighborhood wants their kid to be the first one home so she can get them to soccer practice

Asked by 7390875r over 6 years ago

Well Karen, go sit in the parent pick up line yourself. Lol.

You have been being irritating and flat out rude to us lately! Because you think a question is stupid you give a mean spirited , smart ass, poor, or just plan rude answer. Listen your a bus driver and we are not. You have 12 years of experience I am sorry we don’t know what you do. That’s why you created this right? For people to gain knowledge and create transparency. There are people on here who where in no way rude to you and you have gone off on them. You have told people that they speak bad English, accused someone of trying to make you say something, and trying to make people look dumb for asking questions because they wanted a answer. Some people where rude but not everyone. So why are you giving rude answers or flat out removing them!? Again we ask questions because we are not bus drivers so don’t think we know what you know. Also what would even be the point of trying to bait you into saying something like you accused Samantha of a few months ago?

Asked by Angry viewer over 6 years ago

Hello dear angry viewer. I'm sorry if I have pushed some buttons that caused you to get a little upset. If you take the time to read through the 400+ questions that have been asked and answered I often get repeat questions. Some have been removed because they were duplicates of other questions, and still others were removed because someone opted to spam my q&a like a juvenile person. Sometimes a person asks a question that makes no sense whatsoever so i do invite them to share details and get a more detailed answer.

My snarky demeanor is just part of who I am. Take it or leave it.

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.