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

What radio staition or type of music/ talk do you like to listen to? Or do you at all?

Asked by Johnathan over 6 years ago

Pandora. Usually kids stations or holiday appropriate stations.

Is there a way for bus drivers to satisfy everyone? Parent A: BUS IS TOO LATE AT 7 MY KID HAS BAND PRACTICE AND I GO TO WORK EARLY PARENT B WELL 6:45 IS TOO EARLY MY KID HAS TO DO THIS THIS AND THIS AND IS NOT FAIR TO MAKE HIM GET UP AT 5! then if you switch the route to get a kid home quicker becuase their the last stop then the another parent gets mad. Then more get mad is there a way to make everyone happy?

Asked by 7390875r about 6 years ago

Unfortunately most bus routes are set in such a way to accommodate the majority of students. Don't like the time the bus comes? Find another ride to school. We live in a "me first" society and parents need to understand that they are not the center of the universe. That being said, I do attempt to accommodate on a case by case basis if its feasible and will not disrupt the route as a whole.

Have you seen the video of the guy getting yanked off that bus for not wearing a mask?

Asked by Kaleigh almost 6 years ago

Yes. Given that it's been posted and a fairly widespread practice that for the protection of yourself and others that face masks must be worn, it doesn't surprise me in the least. There are many people out there who feel they are above what the governments can tell them what to do and whom simply won't follow rules. (Fake service dogs are a perfect example.)

Why do some drivers have a problem with getting on the bus at another stop? Every other driver has said you can get on where ever as long as it’s a stop but you have to get off at your designated stop. What do you think is the reason?

Asked by Jack over 6 years ago

The reason for that is that the driver isn't expecting you at a different stop. Now if my kids and I work out a dual stop arrangement if they miss the bus on first pass then that is different. New drivers fresh out of training are told the rules of the district and adhere to them more strictly.A perfect example was last year i had 2 families that used the same babysitter. More often than not on early mornings every 3 weeks or so the babysitter would have all the kids get on at one stop or the other. I knew this and both families so it wasn't a huge deal. The problem comes from kids running to catch the bus and the potential for them getting run over.

What are all the custom options you can order on a school bus?

Asked by Brett over 6 years ago

Buses are customizable in many ways. The standard basic bus has your drivers seat, steering wheel, student seats, the classic yellow body, and all the lights as required by state. Newer buses will have LED lights as these last longer. Newer buses also have a DEF system that allows for fuel to be processed cleaner than others. The customizable options are more for driver and passenger comfort like air conditioners, air ride seats for the driver, adjustable steering wheels, cruise control (some states do not allow cruise control to be used), speed governor, electric mirrors that both adjust and defrost control from inside the bus, whether to use an air brake system or not. Whether to make the bus automatic or not. Seatbelts in some states.... the options really are endless and depends on what each district needs in a bus.

Now question have you ever took a route that no one else wanted for some reason? Why? What was it like?

Asked by Pamela almost 6 years ago

There are always routes out there that nobody else wants but I am a firm believer that there is a bus driver for every route meaning that there is a bus driver that will be able to reach the kids on each route in that special way. It is sort of like a matching game, you have to figure out which bus driver matches with what route. Some routes are definitely more challenging than others.

Why do you think so many people on this site want people to give them the answer they wanna hear instead of the truth or your (or whomever their asking) opinion? I mean they already told them selves so whats the point?

Asked by Walker asks people thigns almost 6 years ago

I'm brutally honest in my answers. People have come to my thread looking for the answer they want only to be told they're wrong. I don't mince words nor do I make excuses. People live in a "me first" bubble and it sucks when that bubble bursts.