Love the Bus Month is celebrated in February, and it's the perfect time to shine a spotlight on the heroes who make a huge difference in our communities every day: our dedicated school bus drivers.
From early mornings to late afternoons, these professionals are there to make sure kids get to and from school, after-school programs, and extracurricular activities with care and reliability. Their roles often extend beyond simply driving; they are mentors and a friendly face that kids look forward to seeing each day.
"My favorite part of the job is dealing with the students," says Transportation Supervisor Ryan Sluga. "Just getting to see the kids get on the bus when they're four years old and watching them grow."
"Relationships develop, and that's half the reason the drivers do it," says Tom Shields, vice president of the transportation association. "As you get older, the problem is you thinking, 'Well, when am I going to retire?' And then one, two of your parents have more kids and they're three years old. 'Oh my gosh, I've got to go another four or five years.' Somewhere you gotta stop or you just don't know when you can do it."
Each day, our bus drivers ensure the safe travel of students across 254 square miles, navigating through various weather conditions, traffic, and busy schedules. Their commitment goes beyond transporting children — they play an important role in keeping our community moving safely.
"We have one of the biggest square mile school districts in the state," says Mr. Shields. "Yeah, it's a lot of responsibility. And everyone's in a hurry today. They need to have the right of way."
"Kids' safety is our top number one priority," says Jason Riddell, president of the transportation association. "Passing motorists that aren't paying attention, they have highway hypnosis. They're not thinking, especially on the expressway."
"Just be patient with us if we're running a little late," says Mr. Sluga. "You don't know what might have happened beforehand that caused us to be late; road hazards, mornings with ice and snow. We try to make sure we go nice and slow and safe."
This month, take a moment to recognize and appreciate the hard work of our bus drivers.