Being able to gather information such as passenger count by day of week, time of day, month, etc. Also, you need to have a great deal of patience, whether thats due to the traffic on the roads, rowdy school kids or people who have had one too many to drink! Apparently, no one ever wants to be stuck behind a school bus and most other drivers will use all means just to get ahead of the yellow bus including underhand tactics that place the children and themselves at risk of an accident. 15+ Pros and Cons of Being a School Bus Driver (Explained) But having more passengers than the bus can seat makes it impossible for them to do so. Meet with teachers/ school administration/parents regarding student's behavior and create safety plans as part of the student's IEP. That's five minutes of wasted time making the bus five minutes late for the next stop. Start at the front of the bus and see how it winds up! Female bus drivers tend to suffer more, especially from older teenagers. Our section on motorcycles provides an overview of the key road rules for riders to be aware of, but as a driver sharing the road, here are the key things to keep in mind: Motorbike riders can ride beside one other ride, and up to 1.5 metres apart. An official website of the United States government Here's how you know. While the federal government does not track the average age of bus drivers or other support staff in schools, data from the AARP suggests that, nationally, about three in four part-time school bus drivers are over age 55. Perform a daily pre and post vehicle inspection Developed weekly schedules for drivers. Once aboard, be sure to listen to the driver's instructions. Drivers can be responsible for about 70 children at any given time, so its unrealistic to expect them to catch everything happening on the bus. It helps matters for you to at least hear them out and notbe on the defensive when informed of the misdoings of your child. Those include: Watching for students in the street, playing near the bus stops, or darting into the street to catch the bus. Occasionally autopilot kicks in and before you know it youve committed to a turn that takes you down the other route then realise what youve done. Deputizing Drivers to Deal With Discipline Problems Graffiti is never really a good thing unless its a considered mural art approved by someone. Large trucks and buses have large blind spots, long stopping distances, and make wide turns, which is why its vital for everyone on the road to make a plan for road safety. But not when you're driving a bus. The best way to avoid trouble is by designating kids to certain seats. Chasing after the bus will only cause further and unnecessary delays. Providing excellence customer service. But sometimes I do feel there is a general lack of respect for bus drivers, in particular when members of the public board the bus glued to their phones without any acknowledgement at all, so occasionally a little bit more respect wouldnt go amiss.. In addition, they sometimes get to have a bus monitor to ride with them to keep things under control while they drive. You need to be able to let it go over your head if a fellow road-user pulls out in front of you if you get bad road rage then driving a bus probably isnt for you, but if you can keep smiling and take it all in your stride, then the odd bad driver cant spoil your day., Andy: You need to be a people person whos chatty and friendly, and you also have to be understanding. 10 Most Beautiful Temples In Japan You Should Visit, Here's Why Austin's Oasis Restaurant Has Such A Big Reputation (Literally). That's because there aren't enough bus drivers, and the city's transit agency has made service cuts to try to adapt. Answer phone calls and place customer orders both over the phone and in person. Maybe its because bus drivers are paid to transport people all over the city, but we shouldnt automatically adopt the notion that they can somehow magically quote us every street and landmark in the city. Parents seem to forget about all this and expect the driver to keep a detailed report on their childs experience when on the bus. Full-time bus drivers are guaranteed forty working hours per week. Did you know that bus drivers are also easily annoyed by unnecessary noise inside the bus? On average, school bus monitors earn a lower salary than bus drivers. Bus drivers work shift work, and full-time bus drivers often work 5 eight hour shifts in one week. Pick up and deliver students safely, follow policies and procedures, obey all dot regulations, professional environment. We break down the percentage of Bus Drivers that have these skills listed on their resume here: Received Certified Driver's License (CDL) - Class B with a P & S endorsement, no restriction. Passenger vehicle drivers transport people, sometimes across state and national borders. However, in Virginia, there is actually a law that states the school buses must be yellow and absolutely no other color . Rundown (7AM) | ANC (1 May 2023) | May - Facebook Bus drivers ought to arrive on time at every stop. Most of the time the bus drivers are left with only a call to the school administration for help or yelling at the kids in the event of a scuffle in the bus. Their job is also important because they are performing an essential duty that would otherwise set back a big part of our communities. Its also great knowing that we give people the independence to get out and about. In the event of a crash behind a truck, passenger vehicles could slide (or be pushed) under a truck. Alcohol and other drugs impair judgment and reaction time. Bus Driver on Pandemic, Driver Shortage: 'I'm Exhausted' - Business Insider For example, a bus driver responsibilities require skills like "cpr," "transport children," "safety equipment," and "windshield wipers." Public transit drivers are struggling to enforce mask mandates Her writing focuses on politics, culture, relationships, and health. Despite the obvious fear of danger that an adult may feel when, say, popping out their heads through the window in heavy traffic, or never bothering to check oncoming traffic while crossing the road, children hardly feel it. ". Drivers gain seniority just like everyone else, and they earn more; plus, in some districts the senior drivers graduate to smaller, van-type buses, which means fewer students. Passengers standing outside of that line were blocking the driver's view to the right, so don't do it. This can be a potential hazard as those in the immediate area behind the driver block their line of sight to everything that is behind them. You just need the right ideas. The majority of passengers are lovely and just want to see a happy face. 25 Things Bus Drivers Will Never Share With Passengers - TheTravel The weight of a truck or bus increases the risk of more severe crash damage, injuries, and fatalities. Visit our website terms of use and permissions pages at www.npr.org for further information. Questions can not only distract from their driving ability, but also affect other things they have to be on the lookout for as well, including the passengers on board. 3 Things You Should Never Do On Public Transportation! One of the perks that come with a school bus driving job is the flexibility of working hours as earlier mentioned. He may not be the one who invented the Internet but he makes sure he has a lot to contribute to it. Being a bus driver means meeting different kinds of people every day. For most of them, their schedule involves a morning pickup and an evening drop off. Sometimes the hours can be unsociable too, but Im used to that now., Andy: I do love my bed, so getting up at 3:30am to start my day isnt always the best. He says attracting and retaining qualified workers is problematic for transit agencies in Denver, Los Angeles, Philadelphia and other big cities across the country. Trained new drivers on policies and procedures Do Not Leave Wallets Exposed in an Unzipped Bag 11. Other passengers may file complaints for delays or . In this excerpt that we gathered from a bus driver resume, you'll understand why: "bus drivers regularly interact with passengers and must be courteous and helpful." Strategies for Discipline Problems on the School Bus 6. Secure .gov websites use HTTPS Its fine to ask a driver for directions, but it isnt ok to become upset when they dont know the answer to your question. Large vehicles can generate wind gusts that can be felt by vehicles around them; drivers of smaller vehicles should anticipate this and maintain control in their lane. According to resumes from both bus drivers and bus attendants, some of the skills necessary to complete the responsibilities of each role are similar. 20 Things Every Parent Should Know About School Bus Drivers (Everyone Vicky: Its definitely not about their mode of transport, its just a very small minority of attitudes.. Eagle Lake, Texas 07/12 - 03/17 We've found that most bus driver resumes include experience from Avis Budget Group, Coach USA, and First Transit. smartphone to navigate vehicle. Learn More About Bus Driver Job Descriptions, Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your. Large trucks and buses have a significant weight and size difference compared to other vehicles on the road. Even with these new incentives, Taulby . Provided and supported patients with personal care. That's what a bus operator does every day. 4. Trained new employees in safety, company policies, and customer satisfaction. A Bus Attendant performs a variety of support tasks to ensure that passengers get to receive optimal services. School bus drivers go through a lot on a daily basis mostly above and beyond their duty. With a bus driver taking care of the return trip, this is one of the best places to go on a party bus, hands down. service. And, yeah, he doesn't care if you call him an old guy for loving movies with Jackie Chan, Jason Statham, Scott Adkins, and Agent 007 in it. As you might imagine, drivers have a lot of time between the morning pick up and the evening drop off. Instead, they are trained in techniques that keep the situation as calm as possible while allowing for authorities to arrive if necessary. Further, it may come as a surprise to most parents that school buses are much safer compared to their personal vehicles in the event of an accident. Its simply a safety concern and one we should all be aware of. From a higher level, each bus has a schedule and route that fits into a much larger puzzle that is the citys mass transit system. Teach your child that they must walk at least ten feet ahead of the bus in case they must cross the road to get home or to school. On the other hand, bus drivers discourage passengers from chasing them, especially if they have started rolling down the highway already. There are a number of roads they do not drive up on including private roads. In the end, it is in the interest of everyone involved that the childrens journey hasas few inconveniences as possible. Following the bus laws of their state. Bus drivers must be able to pass vision tests This is clearly demonstrated in this example from a bus driver who stated: "performed visual inspections and reported any mechanical problems or defects. allows for expert analysts to perform trending analysis that helps them make important decisions. 12 Things Your School Bus Driver Wishes You Knew - Reader's Digest For example, they're 0.8% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.1% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree. Few bus drivers will openly tell any customers this, but they really prefer that you not attempt to hold a conversation with them while they are driving. All rights reserved. Mind Your Surroundings 9. Being able to stay calm and think positively is important too. The job isnt easydrivers get yelled at, ignored, and have to get tough when managing disruptive kids. While in most cases the entry requirement for one to be a school bus driver is a commercial driving license, many bus drivers get on-the-job trainingand earn various qualifications in safe drivingso they are best placed to react and avert disaster when on the road. Bus drivers tend to rarely stop for these passengers for a reason, not necessarily because they are a cold-hearted breed with a desire to ruin people's days. Andy: My main issue is when people who have just got off the bus then walk straight in front of you as youre trying to pull off. So if you ever find yourself on a packed bus and it seems like its running slow, be patient. But dont expect them to intervene in a way that puts them in danger. Meanwhile, there are 94 job openings at Coach USA and 84 at First Transit. They operate a range of vehicles, from small cars with limited seating to 60-foot articulated buses (with two connected sections) that can carry more than 100 passengers. We recommend our users to update the browser. Dont Ask Them Questions While They Are Driving, They Really Dislike When You Hold the Bus For Someone, They Dont Need to be Told Theyre Late They Know, Public Buses Are on A Very Tight Schedule, They Have to Deal With People Who Have Little Regard for Buses on the Road, The Front Doors Were Designed For Entry Only, An Overpacked Bus Likely Means Its Running Late, Dont Litter They Have To Clean Their Bus At the End of Their Shift, They Take It Personally When People Sharpie On the Seats, They Are Trained to Handle Irate Customers, They Are Well Aware of the Regulars Who Cause Problems, Their Pay Can Be Docked For Discrepancies, They Have to Be Fairly Accurate With Passenger Count, They REALLY Prefer You Use the Bus Card Instead of Cash, Getting on the Bus Knowing You Dont Have Fare Is an Annoyance. Others were joining in and it created a brilliant atmosphere. Most parents forget that school bus drivers have been looking after their kids since the first day they got into school. As mentioned, these two careers differ between other skills that are required for performing the work exceedingly well. Those bus drivers who do attend college, typically earn either business degrees or criminal justice degrees. Make sure bus riders and their families are informed and get it in writing. They are granted free admission at whichever event or location to join in on the fun. Prepared activities and played games with kids. The number of passengers that board a bus is tracked closely. Additionally, they're 0.0% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree. When a truck or bus is passing you or merging into traffic from an on-ramp, give them extra space to change lanes safely. A bus driver must also ensure to follow all safety policies and procedures during the travel. Although the extent of their responsibilities depends on their place or industry of employment, it typically revolves around answering questions about bus routes and other services, directing passengers on and off the bus, assisting passengers with special or particular needs, adjusting seats, and handling documents. Sharing The Road With Buses, Bikes, Trams & Trucks | RACV You may not know much about your school driver- perhaps not even his name, but he or she knows plenty about you. Wait for large vehicles to finish turning before continuing your journey. They typically start a new route when they arrive at a transit center. 20 Things Bus Drivers In The US Are Not Allowed To Tell Passengers No college degree is required Unlike people of other professions who work in their profession requiring college degrees and have to bear fees, school bus drivers do not require to have a degree. Passengers have higher chances of getting a lift if they give the bus a little chasin', particularly if it is the last bus of the day. ", But both careers also use different skills, according to real bus driver resumes. It really doesnt take very much effort to have everything ready to go before you board. The driver is only aware of the major incidents since his eyes are on the road. You dont have to wait until the holidays to show your bus driver some appreciation. Do you ever wonder why buses have two doors? They do have to drive, after all. Vicky: My favourite thing ever was on a late bus, where an old man was playing some kind of musical instrument and singing. There's no question. Like any other field, there is seniority among school bus drivers and it comes with certain perks. "cdl," "dot," "customer service," and "passenger endorsement" are skills that have shown up on bus drivers resumes. Make sure all passengers are buckled up, and that kids are in the safest seat based on their age. ". While some skills are shared by these professions, there are some differences to note.