Tests for school bus drivers gets tougher
, News reporter
08-19-2008
It’s not an easy thing to be a bus driver, no matter how many years of experience you have. Besides the noise on the bus, the concentration that the driver must devote to the children and negotiating the operation of the large yellow beast, ever higher stipulations are being placed upon them.
Donnie Fowler of Fowler Bus Co., provides student transportation services to the Richmond School District. “We have eight new drivers this year. They’ve got to pass a CDL, that includes truck driving and a mechanic’s test, pass the driver’s test and know the rules and regulations,” said Fowler. “I’m a third-party tester and the state looks over me like a hawk. On Oct. 1, the test will be even harder. They’ve stepped it up. Homeland Security is totally convinced we don’t ever want an issue with a bus load of kids.”
“We have three types of drivers,” Fowler continued. “The ones that drive the bus well, the ones that handle the kids well and a driver that can do both. That’s where the training comes in.” All drivers attend monthly safety meetings “to keep everyone on the same page,” said Fowler.
Fowler said they usually don’t have such a big turnover in drivers. “We were short two drivers at the end of last year. Some retired and some needed to get full time jobs.”
“On the first week of school, we hand out our bus rules. They’re federal. Our biggest concern is to keep the kids seated,” said Fowler. “If they’re seated, facing forward, and there’s an accident, they’ll be protected by compartmentalization.”
Fowler urges parents to go over the bus rules with your child this week.
“Our biggest tool is our DVR (digital video recorder),” said Fowler. If there is an issue with a student rider, the DVR records it and a determination is made. “We quit showing it to parents. MSBA (Missouri School Board Association) advised us to do this.” He said decisions are made by viewing the incident with the driver, the principal and Fowler himself.
Due to intentional damage made to bus seats last year, Fowler wants parents to stress the importance of proper bus behavior and care to their children. “I had six new buses last year and have a hard time putting new covers on seats. They’ll (the offender) will pay for it this year. I spent $1,000 on seat covers last year. “
Fowler’s have two of the three different brands of buses, the IC (International) and three of the Thomas (C2). Though the district doesn’t currently own a Bluebird, Fowler will be speaking with them this week about perhaps purchasing one.
When Fowler started in this business, in 1975, he paid $12,500 for his first brand new bus. The cost was $80,000 for a new bus in 2007. A bus tire is $365. The time limit for a bus to serve is 15 years.
With higher fuel costs, the company went to a “no idle policy” last year. “We don’t idle longer than a minute when it isn’t cold outside,” said Fowler. “We watch our speed and have corner stops in town.” The more kids that can meet at a corner means fewer stops and less fuel consumption for the buses.
So, the “running of the buses” began this morning bright and early when the first bus rolled off the lot at 5:45 a.m. The rest soon follow, in a long line.
Yes, Fowler and his drivers are on the road again, professionals behind the wheel of the school buses that transport our most precious children. “It’s all about safety,” said Fowler. Watch for them as you come and go!
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