In this heartfelt interview, a retired school bus driver shares his memories of driving kids to school for over 30 years, as well as a special memory of his own school bus driver from when he was a child.
— Thank you for sitting down with me today. You’ve had quite a long career as a school bus driver. Let’s start by asking — how long did you drive a school bus, and what made you decide to do it?
— I drove a bus for 32 years. I never really planned on becoming a bus driver, but when the opportunity came up, I thought, "Why not?" I’d worked a few different jobs, and the schedule seemed perfect — afternoons off, steady hours. Plus, I’ve always liked working with kids. It felt like the right fit.
— That’s a long time to drive a bus! During those 32 years, what made the job so special for you?
— The kids, for sure! It’s so rewarding to see them grow up, especially when you’re driving them year after year. I felt like I was part of their lives in a small way. But what really stood out to me was the community aspect. Parents trusted me to get their kids to school and back safely every day, and that’s something I took very seriously.
— That trust is so important. Now, looking back at your own childhood, do you remember your school bus driver?
— Oh, definitely! When I was a kid, we had a bus driver we all called "Mr. Driver." I must’ve been about 6 or 7 years old. He was a big guy, really kind, but also strict. He had this deep voice that you could hear before you even saw the bus. He’d always make sure we were all lined up and seated before he took off. Back then, it felt like the bus ride was an adventure, especially during winter when the snow would fall and everything was so quiet except for the hum of the bus engine. He made us feel safe, though. He had this calm way of handling everything, and we all respected him for it.
— It sounds like Mr. Driver had a big impact on you. Did he teach you anything that stuck with you when you became a driver yourself?
— Absolutely. The biggest thing I learned from Mr. Driver was the importance of staying calm and firm. Kids will always be kids — they get excited and rowdy — but you have to stay calm. Mr. Driver never raised his voice. He’d tell us what he expected, and we knew we better follow those rules, but he never lost his cool. I tried to do the same thing with the kids I drove. You can’t be all shouty and tough. The key is consistency and calm, no matter how loud the kids get. And I think that’s something they really respond to.
— That’s great advice. After so many years of driving, what’s one memory that stands out to you the most from your own time on the bus?
— There’s one memory that sticks with me. One winter, we had a light snowstorm while I was driving the kids home. They were so excited — they kept looking out the windows, watching the snow fall. It was getting dark, and the world outside looked so peaceful with everything covered in white. We made it safely to every kid’s stop, and I remember just feeling proud of that. Even in bad weather, I knew I had done my job, and every kid was going to make it home safe. That was a good day.
— It sounds like you really made a difference in their lives. How does it feel looking back on all those years?
— It’s been a rewarding career, no doubt. I miss the kids, and I miss the routine. But I also feel lucky to have had a job that I enjoyed for so long. I’ve seen kids grow up, graduate, and have families of their own now. And when I run into them as adults, they still remember me. That’s one of the best parts of being a bus driver — you get to be part of their childhood, even if it's just for those few minutes on the bus every day.
— It’s clear you’ve left a lasting impression on a lot of kids. Thank you for sharing your story with us today.
— Thank you for asking. It’s been a great ride. I hope the next generation of bus drivers keeps the same spirit and care that we did.
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