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HB NEWS EVENT LOOKS TO ADDRESS SCHOOL BUS DRIVER SHORTAGE HERB GARBUTT hgarbutt@metroland.com “OK, put your foot on e bi For some unknown rea- son, I stretch out my left foot and put it on the brake — probably the first thing they teach you not to doin driver's ed. I haven't done this in maybe 30 years. But sitting in the driver's seat of a 40-foot bus throws you off a little initially. It's almost like you feel you at todo something I haven't Seen “any- ‘is big since I was 19 and my uncle let me drive his motorhome. You soon figure out it's not all that daterent, other than tak- ing corners, which re- quires a bit of finesse to avoid running over curbs. Mirrors are the key, says Christine Robertson, who has been school bus for 18 years. wou can basically see ev- hin your mir- rors." Robertson now helps train new drivers for First Student, And new drivers are needed. Since the pan- demic began, there has been a shortage of school bus drivers across the yuntry. Ange! Tyl Georgetown location man. ager for First arvdent, Which n operates 120 buse: rting students for a ‘three school boards in Halton, says the biggest ob- stacle for potential drivers is the intimidation factor. "People feel it is out of their comfort zone," Tyler ys. "The first time, it can be a little overwhel says Robertson, "but you get used to it pretty quick- ly" ARE YOUR HEARING AIDS BEING CHECKED REGULARLY? rrent de complimenta prof d d aning ed in the forming nning servic to our clinic for and checkup. Our in top condition rt HALTON rt AUDIOMETRIC CENTRE HEARING AIDS & AUDIOMETRY Georgetown’s trusted choice for hearing care 905.877.8828 First Student's Big Bus, No Big Deal event let peo- with inform: about becoming a driver. au panda helps aed thot a initial eovidation b en providing 45 to 50 hours of both in-class and behind- the-wheel training. Drivers are paid for the training sessions. Drivers must be at least 21 years old, pass all back- ground checks ig screens, have a valid driv- er's licence and three years of driving experience. A commercial licence is not required. "It's a very rewarding job," Robertson says. "There are times you're having a crummy day and then the kids get on the bus and say 'Hi Christine’ and it brightens your day. Or you ‘Armstrong Ave 360 Guelph St., Unit 44 THE INDEPENDENT ee — | Georgetown READERS’ Sense nay Delrex Blvd (In the Knolcrest Centre) CHOICE 2022 halk li OCA DIAMOND WINNER ed id Herb Garbutt/ Metroland Acton's Christine Robertson has been driving school buses for 18 years. With a shortage of bus drivers, First Student, which provides transportation in Halton for all three school boards, held an event to let people try getting behind the wheel in hopes of attracting more drivers. can make their day." do her next shift until 1:30 Robertson says she is .m. at the earliest, leaving done her first shift at 9a.m. her plenty of time toruner- most days and then doesn't rands. Tyler says driving a school bus is a great pé time job or a way to supple. ment your income. She @ says rivers work & shifts at other jobs that al- 2 z Sun. | SNH UONEH ~ dl OU. | uw Both Tyler and Robert- son say driving a bus will make you a better driver. "We get our licence and then you never take a driv- ing te: ain,” Tyler says. “We develop habits, like not usi mi it coming to a full stop. We get used to using and relying on backup cameras. Driv- ingabus really hones your driving skills." And having well-trained drivers who are comfort- able in their surrounding is important. “Our priority is getting kids to and from school safely."