While most of us are still in summer vacation mode, First Student is already gearing up for a busy fall of transporting students to and from school.
The bus company is recruiting drivers and invited local residents to try their hand at bus driving this week during its ‘Big Bus, No Big Deal’ event.
Having never driven anything larger than a pickup truck, I was admittedly nervous to get behind the wheel of a 40-foot vehicle.
But with First Student location safety officer Kim Contini at my side, I felt confident enough to give it a go within the safe confines of Georgetown’s Christ the King parking lot.
After checking over the controls and buckling up, I was taught how to strongly rely on my mirrors to guide the entire bus through pylons without running them over.
I even managed to successfully navigate the bus back to its starting point in reverse, again using my mirrors the whole way to make sure I was on the right path. Not bad for someone who usually avoids backing into parking spots at all costs!
Kim also had me do a mock run-through of a very important step once I was done - checking the entire bus, including under seats, for any children who may still be on board.
While I know bus drivers go through much more rigorous training than this, I can now say I understand the “big bus, no big deal” mantra.
A large bus may seem intimidating from the outside, but it felt much more manageable than I expected once I was behind the wheel.
First Student North Halton location manager Angela Tyler said paid training is now among the perks the company offers.
The transportation industry veteran - who oversees a fleet of about 120 buses that service Acton, Georgetown, Milton and the rural north Halton area - emphasized that bus driving can be a very fulfilling job.
“It’s really a great feeling when you see children grow up through the school system and what they can accomplish,” she said, noting she’s at the point in her career now where kids she transported in kindergarten have their own children. “It can be a really rewarding opportunity.”
For further details, local residents can contact the First Student office in Georgetown at 905-877-2251 or workatfirst.com.
