Ever wondered what a day in the life of a school bus driver is like?
Life as a suburban school bus driver in Nassau County starts with an early wake up before school starts. Some bus or van drivers are able to keep their vehicles at home, however, most drivers head to the lot where the buses are stored when not in use.
Preparing for the Day
Before the drive begins, the school bus van driver must inspect the bus. The driver ensures the lights and doors are properly functioning. The bus driver will also check that fluid levels are normal and that the tires are at the right air pressure. And finally, the driver checks to make sure that the brakes are working properly before they hit the road!
The Morning Bus Route
Each bus driver has a different morning route for picking up students and bringing them to school. At every stop the driver opens the door, makes sure to wait for students to be seated and then closes the door before continuing on the drive. Drivers are friendly to both the students and their parents, helping to ensure a positive start to the day.
Creating a welcoming environment for the children and ensuring their safety for the parents is a rewarding aspect of being a school bus driver. A driver must take the correct precautions to ensure a safe ride. Before getting started in the morning, a bus driver will check road conditions. As the route progresses, they keep an eye out for anything strange or dangerous. And at every stop, they make sure to use the stop arm to let other vehicles know the bus is stopping.
Flexibility – One of the Great Benefits of Being a School Bus Van Driver
One of the best parts of being a school bus van driver is that after the morning route you have the flexibility to schedule your day! The driver may need to return the bus to the lot or just come home.
If the driver is part time and no repairs need to be made at the bus lot, they can structure their day how they see fit! Some drivers take on other part time jobs at the school while others sign up for extra bus trips like field trips. If a driver doesn’t need another part-time job they can use the free time to spend with friends, family, or maybe running errands.
Your Afternoon Run
The workday starts back up in the afternoon and the driver will need to safely load the bus with students and reverse their route to take the children home. After the afternoon route is finished, the driver returns the bus back to the lot or their home and completes any repairs or inspections that are required. Sometimes the driver takes this time to wash and clean the bus or van. Most bus drivers also wrap up their day by completing the required paperwork at the end of the day.
Not only is being a Suburban Bus Transportation driver a rewarding career where you know you are making a difference in children’s lives, the job also offers great flexibility in scheduling and is a great opportunity for those that are retired or need to work part time. Give back to the community and enjoy an independent and flexible workday by becoming a school bus driver today!
