In every city, there are bus drivers. The transportation of children via school buses has been popular since the 1930’s, and continues to be a widely used medium of transportation. The demand for quality bus drivers is rising at a steady pace, especially in growing areas. Even in times of economic struggle, kids still need a way to get to school.
Here’s a short list of 10 reasons why bus driving might be the perfect career for you.
1. You have great people skills. A career as a bus driver means being surrounded by different types of people every single day. This can include teachers, parents, school officials and of course, kids! The ability to communicate and deal with an assortment of personalities is a valuable trait that every successful bus driver has to have.
2. You enjoy working with kids. If you love kids, a career as a bus driver could be a very rewarding job. You don’t just need the mechanical skills to get them from A to B, but the desire to make them feel as comfortable as possible.
3. You like to drive. Controlling a large vehicle can be exciting for some, and daunting for others. If driving is fun for you, the life as a school bus driver can be both challenging and relaxing.
4. You care about children’s safety. Fortunately, the number of school bus accidents per year is very small. This is because of careful drivers who make the safety of their passengers their top priority. Quality drivers make sure to keep an eye on-board conduct, see that the kids make it into their homes, and enforce safe board and de-board procedures on a daily basis.
5. You remain calm under pressure. The situations you will face as a bus driver like: severe weather conditions, difficult children, and overwhelming road construction can happen at any time on the road. However, if you have a patient manner and are able to keep a clear head when unexpected issues come your way, problems like these can actually be fun challenges for you.
6. You are looking for a flexible work schedule. A typical bus driver usually works early in the morning then late in the afternoon with a long break in-between. There is also the option of driving to and from field trips or other school activities for extra hours. If the idea of the ordinary 9 to 5 job puts a bad taste in your mouth, a bus-driving career could be the ideal solution.
7. You want a job with rewarding benefits. School systems show appreciation to their bus drivers by offering them bonuses like extended vacation days, health and life insurance, and retirement plans.
8. You don’t want to get a four-year degree. Starting a school bus career doesn’t require spending four years in college. Every driver must go through a training program and receive their CDL before employment.
9. You want to get paid well. A career in the bus driving industry can mean making up to 22,300 per year. There are also several opportunities to pick up extra hours, as well as receive employee benefits from the school.
10. You don’t want to spend money training. Many schools will cover their drivers’ official training programs to ensure top-quality employees.