DE School Bus Facts

On average it takes three months to get qualified as a bus driver. Here are some of the requirements needed to be a bus driver.

• Less than 5 points on your driving record

• Regular drug tests

• Annual physicals

• Background checks

The state formula was originally built in 1978. It's purpose was to compensate local farmers as they drove a school bus for an average of two hours a day. The formula hourly rate breaks down as follows:

• If a route is under 30 miles the school bus is expected to travel at an average of 7 MPH. This makes sense with stops.

• For every mile over 30, it is considered additional mileage and the formula pay structure is calculated at one driver minute for every 1.5 miles driven. That means a school bus is expected to travel 40 MPH, which is almost 6 times as fast as a route under 30 miles!

• The average route in Delaware is 68 miles a day.

This clearly shows that the formula is not correct for modern school bus routes.

• Each school bus on average reduces traffic by 32 cars a day

• Modern propane buses have similar emissions to an average passenger car

• School buses are the safest form of road transportation in the country

• School buses are the most efficient form of mass transit in the country

• School buses deliver five times more passengers on a daily basis than DART

• First and foremost understand it's not your school districts fault. Their hands are tied by the state transportation compensation formula

• Contact your state legislators and ask them to "Save the School Bus"

• When your bus is late, write your legislator. Your school district is doing it's best, but they really don't have any control

• Take a look at Title 14 - 1150 Section 17.3. That single line is the biggest reason why your kids aren't able to ride the bus