Page 26 - School Bus Operators and Attendants Handbook

School Bus Safety, Schedules and Routes

It is imperative that Operators maintain their schedule while on their route. The following
information will assist timeliness and safety so that a schedule may be followed easily.

Following Route and Time Schedules

The Bus Driver must follow all route and time schedules. The entire route should be run, regardless
of starting time, unless the Dispatcher advises you otherwise. Operators should arrive at all
scheduled stops on time, never early.

It is never acceptable to speed, safety must come first. As an driver you will not be able to control
other traffic conditions that may put you behind in your scheduled route times, i.e. sudden road
closures, emergency vehicles, weather conditions, etc.

 Notify your assigned Transportation Facility Dispatcher whenever the route is running more than
ten minutes late.
 Report route, schedule or student changes immediately to your supervisor. (i.e. there is a stop
that cannot be accessed OR there are stops that are not being utilized)
 Do not make any changes to your routes(s) without prior approval from your supervisor
 It is required to advise dispatch as soon as possible if you are concerned with a bus stop location
or hazardous condition along your route.
 Students are only permitted to get on or off the school bus only at their assigned location, except
upon written authorization from the school Principal or the Principal’s designee and approved by
the Dispatcher.
 Operators and Attendants should arrive at their assigned schools for each shift
(morning/afternoon) within the time limits established by the Principals and Supervisors
 Bus Drivers and bus Attendants are expected to participate in and complete paperwork for all bus
evacuation drills held at schools.
 Bus Drivers and bus Attendants must provide accurate student counts.
All drivers and attendants must complete required reports for the Florida Educational Finance
Program (FEFP) student count surveys

Driving Performance

All Bus Drivers must know and obey all the traffic laws, signs, and signals as outlined in the Florida
Operator’s Handbook, and the Commercial Operator License Manual for Truck and Bus Drivers,
both published by the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. Operators are
also expected to know and obey all the laws and the Department of Education (DOE) rules relating
to the safe operation of school buses. The following items are important for you to know in order
to maintain a safe atmosphere for everyone while driving on roadways.

Page 26 of 149
School Bus Safety, Schedules and Routes