BROWARD COUNTY, Fla. — Broward County school buses are getting on the roads Thursday ahead of the first day of classes for students next week.
The biggest thing is that there are enough bus drivers for all 756 routes Broward County Public Schools transportation officials have coordinated, plus having enough relief drivers to pick up routes in case of breakdowns or absences.
Of course, they’re hoping for none of that on Monday or throughout the year, and they’re working all this week to prevent issues.
Sharae Blackshure inspected her bus Thursday morning, saying she wants to know her bus inside and out before the first day of school.
“I’ve been driving buses for nine years,” she said.
She makes sure to check her bus out from all angles and checks herself as well to make sure she is feeling confident as she welcomes kids onto her bus.
“The first day is always a little nervous, but I’m ready to get back out there,” Blackshure said.
Simone Clowers, the executive director of student transportation and fleet services for the district, said safety is their top priority and that starts with getting to know your stop ahead of time.
“Is there lighting? Do you need to wait? Make sure the child knows if the parent can’t be there, stand a little ways off on the sidewalk, make sure the bus comes to a complete stop before approaching the bus,” Clowers explained.
And she says her drivers are also equipped to handle all rider situations.
“We have question and answer sessions, we do little skits and simulations. We wanna make sure they’re prepared for what could happen. And then we give them, if you can’t handle it, what are the steps you have to take? Contact dispatch, contact 911, push the panic button if need be,” Clowers said.
As for Blackshure, she’s most excited to see the students and send them off.
“Tell them to have a great day because they need that little push,” she said. “They need that little push. Always know that getting on the bus and riding on the bus is a privilege.”
All the district’s bus drivers are going through training Thursday and Friday on security enhancements, passenger management and any other lab courses they need to complete.
In fact, the executive director says drivers only need 40 hours of training, but the district requires 70 hours.
Copyright 2025 by WPLG Local10.com - All rights reserved.
