Just another day on Bus 142 - continued
THE SCHOOL BUS
DRIVERS TOP PRIORITY?
2SAFESCHOOLS POLL
449 votes - as of: 08/03/01 |
| Help cut costs |
0% |
| Follow Policy |
2% |
| Keeping kids safe |
96% |
| Not sure |
1% |
Non-members click on
GUEST at login to vote |
VOTE |
Original story title, JUST ANOTHER DAY ON BUS 142, published March 26, 2001, Copyright �2001, All Rights Reserved. Posted by permission from The Roanoke Times.
By Joel Turner, The Roanoke Times
Page 2, continued - Hubbard, 45, is a friend to the students in what is almost a family atmosphere on his bus.
He talks to them about school, especially the elementary children. Most call him "Jerry."
Ask the children what they think of Hubbard, and they shout, "He's a good driver."
For nine years, Hubbard has been driving a bus in Southwest Roanoke County, a job he said he thoroughly enjoys even though the stress is high and the pay is low.
Pay for Roanoke County school bus drivers ranges from $39 a day for a beginner to $53 a day for a driver with 12 years of experience. Like most other county drivers, Hubbard spends about four hours a day on his routes.
"It's a lot of responsibility, but you just try to do your job," he said. "You try to be careful. That's the thing that is most on your mind."
Hubbard has never had an accident, not even a fender bender, during his years as a driver. "I've been fortunate."
Fifteen rules of conduct are posted at the front of the bus; they include no eating, fighting or standing while the bus is moving. Hubbard said he seldom has discipline problems, particularly with the elementary children, although some county drivers complain about rowdy students.
"I couldn't ask for a better group of kids. I enjoy watching the kids grow up because I've been driving the same route for several years," he said. "I've got supportive parents, and that helps, too."
The junior high students are not quite as obedient as the elementary pupils, but Hubbard still has a good rapport with them. Occasionally, he has to tell a junior high student to lower his voice or stop horseplay. And he has required a few students to sweep the bus because they threw paper on the floor.
Some people are cut out to be bus drivers, Hubbard said.
"You've got to like kids. You've got to like to drive," he said. "You've got to be a people person."
In addition to his daily routes, Hubbard drives middle school and high school athletic teams on many after-school trips. He also drives on some field trips. Last Monday night, he took the Glenvar High soccer team on a trip to Bassett and didn't get home until 10:30 p.m. He gets paid $8 an hour for sports and field trips.
Hubbard is one of almost 300 bus drivers who transport more than 25,000 Roanoke Valley students every day.
Sometimes, the school divisions scramble to find enough drivers because of low unemployment, low pay and the high stress of the job. Some localities have offered $100 bonuses to new drivers and those who recruit new drivers, but school officials said recruiting is difficult.
THE SCHOOL BUS DRIVERS
YOUR EMPLOYERS TOP PRIORITY?
2SAFESCHOOLS POLL
46 votes - as of: 03/28/01 |
| Cutting costs |
33% |
| Employees Following Policy |
13% |
| Keeping kids safe |
46% |
| Not sure |
9% |
Non-members click on
GUEST at login to vote |
VOTE |
The bus driver shortage is a nationwide problem, with school districts practically begging for qualified drivers who will work odd hours and who can pass strict federal and state safety guidelines.
Hubbard also trains bus drivers for the county between his morning and afternoon runs. New drivers must have 20 hours of classroom training and 20 hours on the road. They must get a commercial driver's license.
But many who start the training don't complete it, he said.
Hubbard's bus is parked in the lot on South Market Street in Salem with other buses at night and on the weekends. The county's school bus garage and lot are there because Salem was part of the county when the garage was built. The school system also has lots at all four high schools in other areas of the county so buses can be stored close to drivers' routes.
Drivers are responsible for cleaning the interior of their buses, but mechanics and lot attendants fuel the buses, change the oil, wash them and repair them.
Hubbard, who grew up in Roanoke County, was a substitute bus driver his senior year at Northside High School. He became a regular driver after he was laid off his job as a machinist after 18 years. He tried to find work in the same field, but he had not been trained in computer technology, which was being used in machine shops when he was laid off.
"The pay in a machine shop is better, but I like driving a bus better," he said. To supplement his income, he drives for a charter - bus company some weekends. He is also a part-time hay and wheat farmer. But he plans to keep on driving the school bus, even though he could make more in another job.
"I really enjoy it. I've been driving the same kids year after year. They know me, and I know them."
| 
Click here for dozens of stories on the Columbine High School massacre in Littleton, Colorado.
