Inconsistent bus driver for ds

[jlschlangen]

This year my ds's bus is inconsisitent. Doesn't really bother me, but in the winter it is stinkin cold out. Doesn't matter how much you bundle up you get cold. We stand behind a bunch of big trees for a wind block. Plus if the regular guy is gone one day he comes really early the next day. So the bus comes anywhere from 7:57-8:10. We have gone out anywhere from 7:55 or 7:57 b/c we don't want to be late for the bus or miss it. B/c if he were to miss it I have to wake dd then drive him to town.

I wouldn't care if it was warmer out.

What would you do? Would you talk to the bus driver or the transportation dept?

Thanks.

[onlyoneboy]

Call the transportation department. They don't know what is going on unless parents tell them.

[doeeyedgirl]

Wish I could give you words of wisdom, but I think you are going to find that most busses are that way. I know ours is. Our drop off times are just as inconsistent.
Hope you find an answer to your troubles. If not, invest in some long undies.

[jlschlangen]

The bus is scheduled to come at 8:02. I always say I am going to go out later, but like I said I don't want ds to miss it.

[doeeyedgirl]

Think of it this way, traffic is just as unpredictable for the busses as it is for us. If they were 20-30 minutes late consistantly, that's when I would be concerned. But Gwen is right, it doesn't hurt to call.

[apryllraye87]

I guess we're lucky.. DS' bus is almost always on time, or at least within a minute or two of the time they're supposed to be there.

[jlschlangen]

My dd's bus is very consistent. can almost set my watch to it. I might call the trasportation dept or e-mail them today probably.

[dara1012]

You should call and ask what their policy is on arriving early, meaning if the bus is scheduled to arrive at 8:02 and arrives at 7:55, will the bus driver leave if you are not out there? Many transportation companies expect a window of 5 min on either side which would mean you need to be ready 5 min before pick up time and wait 5 min after pick up time. Can you wait in your running car at the end of the driveway in the winter to keep warm?

[bunsy]

That 10 minute window that Dara describes is the rule here in my city as well. Sometimes there are just delays though. It is frustrating when you get used to it being the same time and all of a sudden the bus comes early--sometimes that is because a bunch of kids earlier in the route weren't at their stop so the route went faster. They should wait until your designated time though.

I agree with D--I'd take the car on the cold days. I drove the kids the block and a half to the bus stop when it was really cold because the bus time was inconsistent and I didn't want to freeze. It was worth the tiny bit of gas it took to be more comfortable and have a better start to the day.

[jlschlangen]

Dh gets mad if I take the vehicle to the bus stop and wait w/ the vehicle running. I suppose a 10 minute window is ok, but it feels like forever when it is cold.

Last week it came and we weren't even at the end of the driveway yet and it was about 7:55 or a smidge after. We ran the rest of the way and it happened just like that at least 1 other time for sure.

[bunsy]

Sorry Jodi. If you DH doesn't like it then he should change HIS schedule to stand at the bus stop. I would refuse to freeze.

[jlschlangen]

I just checked the schools website under the transportation tab and it says the bus could arrive 5 min. b4 or after the scheduled time. Guess I should just be patiet.

Today I had on: turtleneck, 2 sweatshirts, dh's snowpants, parka (as my family calls it), big yellow gloves that look like boxing gloves, thick socks, boots, hat.

[angel22]

Ok, that is not a big window of "inconsistency." You have to remember that there are other kids on the bus that the driver has to wait for, plus weather conditions, and traffic- there are quite a few reasons that the bus could run early or late. If you are worried about the cold sit at the end of your driveway in your warm car. Didn't we have this thread last year, too?

[lilmermaid]

I'm sorry Jodi but you need to tell your DH to shove it! I live 2 houses away from the bus stop and I sometimes drive and wait if it's freezing cold. I realize it uses gas money and gas is super expensive right now but us staying warm and not getting sick is more important!

Our bus company also has the 10 minute time frame. I know some buses will wait until the time they are set if they arrive earlier. So if they are set to arrive at 8:02 and are getting there at 7:55, they wait until the 8:02. Not all of them do this though.

[sarahisis]

Five minutes doesn't seem that unreasonable to me. If it's cold, then drive. Stuff happens.

When I was in elementary school i had to walk to the end of my street and half a block to my bus stop.. and they had a 12 minute window of time... parents never came (though times have changed!!!)