Latest news with #busdrivers
Yahoo
5 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
BDS honors bus driver Ms. Shirley for over 50 years of service
BAY COUNTY, Fla. (WMBB) – The school year just ended on Wednesday, and it was the last day of work for some Bay District School employees. Ms. Shirley Odom drove her final route for Bay District Schools this week. She began her career as a school bus driver over 50 years ago to meet her children's school schedule. Since then, she's driven over 20 different buses. Ms. Shirley competed in the first annual school bus driver's safety rodeo. She went up against 45 other Bay school bus drivers, and Ms. Shirley won first place. 'It's an obstacle course that you drive the bus through. You have to practice, practice, practice to get it right. And out of all the bus drivers, I think there was only 45 participating here locally in the competition. And I come in with the highest score. But it was very interesting learning, and it was fun. And it's good practice for the drivers,' Retired Bay District Schools Bus Driver Shirley Odom said. Remembering John Thrasher, former FSU President and Florida House Speaker Getting kids to and from school safely requires more than just average driving skills. Bus drivers are required to have a commercial driver's license. However, it's about more than just driving. Ms. Shirley has left an impact on generations of Bay County students. 'I'm going to personally miss Ms. Shirley's dedication and her punctuality. If she was to be there at 6:00, she was there at 6:00. She's very dependable, I didn't have to worry. Well, Shirley is going to be on her bus today. She's going to be on her bus this afternoon. She's just a well-rounded, awesome, dedicated employee provided for Bay District Schools,' Bay District Schools Northern Route Manager Jim Chambers said. Bus driving runs in the family. Ms. Shirley's mother, Dorris Hallmon, was a bus driver. Now her son, Jody Odom, is continuing the legacy as a current bus driver in the district. Also, her daughter-in-law and grandson are teachers. Ms. Shirley says she will miss driving students, but plans to stay busy during her retirement. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
BBC News
23-05-2025
- Health
- BBC News
Dementia awareness leaflet given to Essex bus drivers
Bus drivers have been given a leaflet to help them better assist passengers living with Essex, part of bus operator First Bus, has worked with charity Alzheimer's Society to design the leaflet reminds drivers to allow extra time for boarding, communicate clearly and to offer gentle assistance when to Alzheimer's Society, about 23,000 people over the age of 65 are living with dementia in Essex, and this could increase by 33% by 2030. The leaflet, titled Understanding and Assisting Passengers with Dementia: A Guide for Bus Drivers, gives guidance to help drivers recognise passengers with Hunt, operations director at First Bus East of England, said: "Bus travel is a lifeline for so many, and we want to ensure that those living with dementia feel safe, supported, and respected on their journeys."Michelle Burrows, service user involvement officer at Alzheimer's Society, added: "Public transport is essential for people with dementia to maintain their independence and connection with the community. "This leaflet is a great step towards making that experience more inclusive and understanding." Follow Essex news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Stagecoach drivers to strike after pay talks breakdown
Stagecoach bus drivers in the west of Scotland are to go on strike after a breakdown in pay talks. The Unite union said the firm had failed to improve on 4% pay offer to members at depots in Ayr, Arran, Ardrossan, and Kilmarnock. It said 430 drivers would strike on routes in Ayrshire, Lanarkshire and Glasgow on 26 May, 2 June and 6 June - with six weeks of further action to follow. Stagecoach has said it is seeking a "fair and sustainable" pay deal that preserves the viability of bus services. Unite said members voted by 98 per cent to take industrial action. The union said the current pay offer is "unacceptable" as it would leave the drivers among the poorest paid across Stagecoach's UK operations. Siobhan McCready, Unite industrial officer, said: "The drivers are being asked to fund a pay rise by working longer hours, taking longer unpaid breaks and losing a week of annual leave. "Widespread and prolonged industrial action is set to hit bus services across the west of Scotland. "This company doesn't seem capable of listening to its workers." Bus depots in Dumfries and Galloway are not involved in this phase of strike action. Scheduled strike action was previously suspended for further talks after the company withdrew a threat of cancelling drivers' annual leave entitlement. Stagecoach previously said it would increase hourly rates by more than 15% over a two-year period. It has been contacted for comment Stagecoach drivers suspend strike ahead of pay talks Stagecoach cancels driver holidays in union dispute Stagecoach bus drivers set to strike in pay dispute
BBC News
21-05-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Stagecoach drivers to strike after pay talks breakdown
Stagecoach bus drivers in the West of Scotland are to go on strike after a breakdown in pay Unite union said the firm had failed to improve on 4% pay offer to members at depots in Ayr, Arran, Ardrossan, and said 430 drivers would strike on routes in Ayrshire, Lanarkshire and Glasgow on 26 May, 2 June and 6 June - with six weeks of further action to has said it is seeking a "fair and sustainable" pay deal that preserves the viability of bus services. Unite said members voted by 98 per cent to take industrial union said the current pay offer is "unacceptable" as it would leave the drivers among the poorest paid across Stagecoach's UK operations. Widespread action Siobhan McCready, Unite industrial officer, said: "The drivers are being asked to fund a pay rise by working longer hours, taking longer unpaid breaks and losing a week of annual leave."Widespread and prolonged industrial action is set to hit bus services across the west of Scotland."This company doesn't seem capable of listening to its workers."Bus depots in Dumfries and Galloway are not involved in this phase of strike strike action was previously suspended for further talks after the company withdrew a threat of cancelling drivers' annual leave previously said it would increase hourly rates by more than 15% over a two-year period. It has been contacted for comment
