With 260 buses to maintain, LISD transportation employees are busy every day. They transport students to and from school, to sporting events, field trips and more.
    To recognize the efforts of these dedicated administration, drivers, mechanics, dispatchers, routers, team leaders and other staff members, the week of Oct. 16-20 is designated as National School Bus Safety Week.
    There are 230 district transportation employees who continuously work and train to make their bus passengers a priority. They are also responsible for maintaining their bus, which is costly.

    More than $10,000 a year is spent on maintenance for each bus, with operating costs totaling $25,000-$35,000 per year, per bus. Those costs include fuel, staff, driver’s salary, mechanic labor costs and training.
“We currently have four training days at the beginning of each year, and we are working to get more training for next year,” LISD Director of Transportation Ann Hatton said. “Our drivers are very passionate about their students and work hard to keep them safe.”
Drivers must care for each bus while driving by paying attention to vehicles around them and focusing on the protection of students.
“To keep students safe we teach them the rules of the vehicle, and why these rules are in place,” Hatton said. “We also conduct monthly safety meetings to go over any issues that may come up.”
Along with keeping students safe, drivers value the well being and success of their students. They play a key role in the process of students receiving an education.
“Most of the drivers see these children as their own, and you will frequently hear them refer to them as ‘my kids’,” Hatton said. “They truly want the children to succeed, and they like to think they are part of each child’s success.”
Due to the variation in start times of each school, a regular day for most of the transportation staff begins at 6 a.m., and ends around 6 p.m. The drivers prepare for these long hours and take pride in their job.
“I enjoy watching the kids grow and knowing I had a hand in it,” driver of Bus 516 said. “Plus, driving the bus is fun.”
Transportation employees make it possible for students to get to and from school and other school-related trips in a safe and timely manner. Many drivers have been a part of LISD for years, and have witnessed several family members move through the district.
“One of my student’s mother said that since I have been transporting her child, they have improved in school,” driver of 509 said. “I look forward to coming to work everyday and seeing my students. I love every minute of every day.”