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

Have you ever worked as a bus aide? Dispatcher? Supervisor? Maintenance or something besides a driver?

Asked by 637816923784612789346192783461278934612789346129378146238974126347891236123612361236123612361236123612361236123612361236123612361236123612361236123612361236123612361236123612361236123612361236123612361236123612361236123612361236123612361236123612361236123 almost 6 years ago

Bus aide yes. Not very often though as the need for drivers was much greater.

Yea I don’t get it I feel it can cause more of a danger. I understand in some areas because but in many areas the speed limit is 70 MPH and buses get rear ended going 55-40. I don’t see many buses going 55. Thanks for answering

Asked by Ruth over 6 years ago

It can cause more of a danger in some areas that's why many of us avoid highways with greater speed limits so as to watch out for the safety of our kids.

I heard that there are limits on how long bus routes can be. Is this true and is there exceptions for rural districts or districts that cover a large area in general? I personally would rather a longer route then a overcrowded one too.

Asked by Dsmmsdm over 6 years ago

It depends on the district. We are shorthanded everywhere so overcrowding is bound to happen. Routes are made longer and schools are not changing the way they do things to accommodate the sheer number and stress we are under. The amount of kids also depends on the location of the route. A rural route is less crowded but longer whereas a city route can be very crowded at times.

I will try and ask a new questions since everyone keeps asking the same and similar questions lol. Okay why do a lot of places require a HS diploma or equivalent? It makes no since you can get CDL, endorsements, and learn to drive a bus without.





How does a diploma determine how good of a bus driver someone is?

Asked by Daniel over 6 years ago

Good question. Most employers in general ask for at minimum a highschool diploma even though you can get things like a drivers license and other things without one because they want to see how dedicated a person is to finishing what they start. A high school diploma (or GED) also shows that a person has dedicated time to finish something that was far more difficult than just a simple test. Stay in school.

Why when a bus is on fire the horn sounds off?

Asked by Joesph over 6 years ago

That happens with most vehicles when something triggers the electrical system to malfunction. When the fire heats up the electrical system it shorts out and melts together likely causing the systems connected to go off. That is why you see and hear car alarms, flashing lights, and the horn when something like that happens till the fire finally kills the system entirely.

Hello, so this kids teacher made them stay behind in class for a extra few minutes or so. So when he got to the buses we where pulling out and she obviously saw him and we where yelling at her to stop. She told us to shut up and left him.

Asked by Ndnddndnd about 6 years ago

No the driver cannot get into trouble. It is the student's responsibility to get out to the bus on time. Bus drivers are on a time schedule. It is not the fault of the driver that the student stayed after at the teacher's request. We are not taxi's.

Why so some districts run the buses their selves and some hire a company(s)? Also do you think it is fair to charge students per bus ride?

Asked by DAn over 6 years ago

Its a funding question. Some districts hire outside private companies. Others depend on the local public transportation for school children hence the need for a bus pass. Some districts charge parents a yearly sum others, nothing, it all depends on where their money comes from. Bus riding is a privilege not a right. Therefore it takes money to maintain buses, train and keep qualified drivers, and fuel costs. Some districts just do it differently.