Comments on: Three Students Receive Minor Injuries When Two School Buses Collide

By: Regina Barnes

Regina Barnes — Sat, 19 Jan 2013 02:51:13 +0000

We that are bus drivers do it because we truly love our kids on the bus. We try very hard to make a difference each and every day in their lives because we care. I get so sick and tired of all the nasty comments made about us. Haven’t you made a mistake in your driving at times? Or are you that perfect that you haven’t? Give that person a cookie I say.We try our best to be as professional as possible in every situation that we face each day. Unless you’re willing to come join the team and see how we are “MONITORED”, then back off and give that driver (that’s been up long way before the crack of dawn) a break okay. We’re only human. By the way little Tim said God Bless us everyone!! By the way thank you Trisha because you’re right we don’t get enough praise!! Way to go David Green. Sure miss you down here on the south end of the county!!!

By: Trisha

Trisha — Fri, 18 Jan 2013 01:10:38 +0000

Very well said, David. Now I won’t have too. Our bus drivers put up with a lot. I won’t take time to make a list, but they drive our precious babies to and from school. I trust them and so should everyone else. There is constant scrutiny for our drivers and not enough praise.

I know that if needed to know, I could call dispatch and find out exactly what time my child’s bus came to her their bus stop. The GPS system doesn’t just tell dispatch where they are, but where they’d been and WHEN they were there.

Because of the education and training our drivers have, they deserve more credit than they get.

Who else in their right mind would drive a bus on tree different routes, twice a day. Thank you drivers, for keeping my children safe!

By: David Huie Green

David Huie Green — Thu, 17 Jan 2013 17:24:05 +0000

REGARDING;
“Why did that bus driver NOT stop before the red (yellow) light, why did he/she put that bus and other traffic in danger. Now I read this! How are the bus drivers trained and are they monitored. I know there are cameras on the buses to watch the children but what about the drivers and surrounding traffic”

The 29/10 Mile green arrow comes on for left turn but the 10 Mile/95A light turns red. The driver may be following the traffic on a green light but too many vehicles are in the stretch to get out of the intersection ere the hwy 29 light goes red.

It’s a thing to avoid but is easy to miss and they‘re stuck.

As to training, call the Transportation Office on Texar and they will be glad to train you for free. You’ll learn how to inspect your bus for potential dangers, assorted federal laws to follow in the performance of your duties, how to deal with the sweetlings and their understanding parents, how to watch out for other drivers who are too busy texting and talking to watch out for your bus, oh, all kinds of wonderful information followed by assorted tests to make you understand it all and are drug free (including tobacco).

As to how drivers are monitored: there are up to 84 children on the buses, each ready to tell their teachers and parents how the driver drove. There are several thousand drivers ready to report any infraction — real or imagined. GPS monitoring reports where each bus is every second of the day. The same cameras which report the actions and language of the sweetlings also records the words and actions of the drivers.

They need more drivers. Join up.

David for safe children

By: Concerned

Concerned — Wed, 16 Jan 2013 20:59:22 +0000

I am from Alabama and was in Pensacola yesterday afternoon around 3:25 p.m. on Highway 29 N, after crossing 10 mile road I was stopped in traffic and the light behind me turned red, there in the middle of the intersection sat a school bus (empty) and that really worried me. Why did that bus driver NOT stop before the red (yellow) light, why did he/she put that bus and other traffic in danger. Now I read this! How are the bus drivers trained and are they monitored. I know there are cameras on the buses to watch the children but what about the drivers and surrounding traffic. Just asking? I wouldn’t be a bus driver for any amount of money, however I have a sister-in-law and niece who are and I give them all the praise there is – I know I was that child many years ago on that bus! Good Bless them ALL! as little Tim would say.