With icy road conditions, drivers are facing safety challenges, especially when it comes to getting children to school safely.
NBC Montana spoke with a bus driver from Beach Transportation, the company that operates Missoula County Public Schools' bus service.
Wayne Wade has been driving school buses around Missoula County for 12 years and said he is prepared for any inclement weather.
Beach Transportation manager Bob Mitchell said their drivers are experts because half of the school year is spent driving in winter weather conditions or in the dark. He said they work directly with snowplow services to ensure their routes stay cleared.
"We give all snowplow companies a list of our routes in October so they can map out our routes," Mitchell said.
Each Beach Transportation school bus comes equipped with chains, snow tires, a broom, a shovel and bucket of grind in the event they get stuck.
Before drivers head out for the day, they check in at the Beach Transportation office to get an update on road and weather conditions. Mitchell said he expects his drivers to come in early if they anticipate difficult conditions.
Bus drivers are also required to pass a 150-hour training course and state exams before they're licensed to drive commercial vehicles.
Wade said buses have a lower center of gravity and are bottom-heavy to better prevent rollovers.
"One of the neat things about these school buses are these little compartments these kiddos are in. We're up higher than a regular vehicle, so we're not top-heavy and most of our weight is at the bottom, so I think the (kids) are safer in these compartments as long and they're sitting down and facing forward," Wade added.
Drivers said the biggest risk comes at bus stops, where children are often running around and playing in the snow. Bus stops have the potential of putting them in danger from an approaching bus or passing cars. Parents are advised to make sure their children are dressed appropriately for the weather.
Beach Transportation said if a bus is more than 15 minutes late students should find another ride to school.
"It's amazing that these guys get up and do what they do every day," Mitchell added about his team. They have been serving the Missoula community for 75 years.
NBC Montana spoke with a bus driver from Beach Transportation, the company that operates Missoula County Public Schools' bus service.
Wayne Wade has been driving school buses around Missoula County for 12 years and said he is prepared for any inclement weather.
Beach Transportation manager Bob Mitchell said their drivers are experts because half of the school year is spent driving in winter weather conditions or in the dark. He said they work directly with snowplow services to ensure their routes stay cleared.
"We give all snowplow companies a list of our routes in October so they can map out our routes," Mitchell said.
Each Beach Transportation school bus comes equipped with chains, snow tires, a broom, a shovel and bucket of grind in the event they get stuck.
Before drivers head out for the day, they check in at the Beach Transportation office to get an update on road and weather conditions. Mitchell said he expects his drivers to come in early if they anticipate difficult conditions.
Bus drivers are also required to pass a 150-hour training course and state exams before they're licensed to drive commercial vehicles.
Wade said buses have a lower center of gravity and are bottom-heavy to better prevent rollovers.
"One of the neat things about these school buses are these little compartments these kiddos are in. We're up higher than a regular vehicle, so we're not top-heavy and most of our weight is at the bottom, so I think the (kids) are safer in these compartments as long and they're sitting down and facing forward," Wade added.
Drivers said the biggest risk comes at bus stops, where children are often running around and playing in the snow. Bus stops have the potential of putting them in danger from an approaching bus or passing cars. Parents are advised to make sure their children are dressed appropriately for the weather.
Beach Transportation said if a bus is more than 15 minutes late students should find another ride to school.
"It's amazing that these guys get up and do what they do every day," Mitchell added about his team. They have been serving the Missoula community for 75 years.
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