Friday, October 8, 2004

Bus drivers brave construction delays


By MEGAN THOMAS
Express Staff Writer

Despite the moans and groans from the majority of motorists commuting in the face of road construction on Highway 75, the Blaine County School District?s bus drivers are managing the storm without major delays.

?We thought it would be a huge problem, but it hasn?t been,? Laurie Lindsey dispatcher at the district?s transportation office said.

According to a group of Blaine County School District bus drivers gathered to pick up students at Hemingway Elementary School on Wednesday, Oct. 6, the construction has caused minor delays in their bus routes.

?I got here five minutes late, usually I get here with 10 minutes to spare,? Alan Brooks said in reference to the load of students he dropped off in the morning at Hemingway Elementary school.

The drivers and dispatchers agree the delays vary significantly with each trip.

Fellow bus driver Darlene Byington found herself en route during the week from East Fork to Cold Springs with the traffic moving at 5 mph.

Darlene Kisler dispatcher and driver at the District?s Transportation Office reported the construction this week caused other delays in the bus routes that approached 30 minutes.

?It?s something we expected. We are dealing with it the best we can,? Kisler said. ?Basically our drivers are leaving early to compensate in order to get there in time.?

The district office explained that most of the drivers have the flexibility to leave in order and arrive on their routes on time.

?It?s a great bunch of drivers?they are doing what they have to do,? Lindsey said.

The majority of the delays arise in the afternoon with the kindergarten routes and afternoon drop-offs.

?Parents are waiting 10 to 15 minutes for kids to get off the bus,? Kisler said.

In addition to the delays in traffic, the bus drivers also deal with angry motorists.

?It?s a little harder dealing with the impatient drivers around you,? Brooks noted.




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