Oaksdale School Bus on Dirt Road in the Palouse
Oaksdale School Bus on Dirt Road in the Palouse

Oaksdale School Bus on Dirt Road in the Palouse

Oaksdale School Bus on Dirt Road in the Palouse

Challenging is one word that describes driving a school bus. Challenging because there are the ever present student management issues (behavior in variety and seriousness), traffic issues (nobody wants to be behind us), and weather issues (like mailmen almost nothing stops us from our appointed rounds). But out here in the Palouse it is even more challenging. I saw this bus turn down a dirt road, I was intrigued, so I followed. Coming up over one of the undulating hills of fallow wheat fields near Oaksdale, WA I came upon this view. The driver had just delivered students to the farmstead behind him and I discovered he had made a turn around in the farm yard, he waved as we passed. He was driving a newer 30 foot conventional bus with automatic chains (so helpful in fast changing conditions). As a suburban school bus driver (I drive a 40 foot/78 passenger transit style Blue Bird), I have the utmost respect for all school bus drivers, but I tip my hat to these rural drivers whose challenges as school bus drivers have the added level of driving on these dirt roads with ever changing conditions.

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3 Comments

  1. That is a cool picture, love the sky in it. I tip my hat to bus drivers too, what a hard job! It would be hard enough to drive one of those beasts, but add in traffic and a bunch of kids…no thanks! I’m glad there are those out there who have the desire and ability (and patience!) to do that.
    I have a hard time loading this site, but I sure enjoy it when I do.

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