Broward County School Bus Drivers Prepare for New School Year

Bus Driver Readiness and Route Coverage

• 🚌 Broward County school buses are hitting the roads for pre-school year checks ahead of the first day on Monday.
• ✅ Officials confirmed there are enough bus drivers for all 756 routes, with over 800 drivers in total, including relief drivers.
• ⚠️ Relief drivers are available to cover absences, overcrowding, or breakdowns, ensuring smooth operations.

Driver Training and Vehicle Checks

• 🛠️ Drivers like Shereé Blackshire, with 9 years of experience, conduct thorough vehicle inspections, checking tires, threads, and mirrors.
• 🧠 Confidence in their readiness is high, with drivers feeling prepared to welcome students.
• 🚦 Safety is emphasized as the utmost priority for both drivers and families.

Student and Family Safety Protocols

• 🚶 Families are advised to familiarize themselves with bus stops, ensuring adequate lighting and safe waiting distances from the sidewalk.
• 🚨 Drivers are trained to handle various rider situations through question-and-answer sessions, skits, and simulations.
• 📞 Protocols include contacting dispatch, 911, or using the panic button if necessary.

Driver Training Hours and Recruitment

• 📚 All district bus drivers are undergoing extensive training, exceeding the required 40 hours with 70+ hours of instruction.
• 📈 Training covers the latest security enhancements, passenger management, and necessary lab courses.
• 💰 Broward County is actively recruiting more bus drivers, offering sign-on bonuses and an updated pay rate of $21 per hour.