The previous school year, I acted as a cover driver for other school bus drivers who, for whatever reason, could not do their route. This school year, I did something different. I took a route of my own, but I did so in a way that allowed me to be flexible in doing a different run if the need arose. There was a need today, and I had the pleasure of running a route I had not done in a while.
I arrived at my stop on the route I was filling in for. It is a large stop, and there are so many kids at this location that it takes several minutes to load. This route is just one stop because the bus is full after all the kids get on. It is also a cruel stop.
The school board has difficulty finding places for kids to wait without disturbing the neighbouring homes. At this stop, which has between 40 and 50 kids, the school board found the ideal location for this large group to wait without causing any issues: a playground!
But is it really the ideal location?
I arrived a minute or two early. This is acceptable because it takes more than five minutes to load everyone onto the bus, wait for them to find a seat and then move on toward the school.
As I was greeting all the kids, one girl, bright-eyed and with a warm smile, informed me that the bus yesterday was so late. Because it was late, they all had a play date.
Ah, cute.
The joys of being a child: seeing an opportunity to play instead of being annoyed by a late bus.
Then, this adorable child leaned toward my ear and whispered, “Can we be late again?”
Please tell me how I should have responded to this child. I was lost for words, but eventually, I stammered “No” to her innocent request.
Having a playground at a school bus stop sounds like a great idea. It is a large area where children already gather. It is a safe area where there isn’t any traffic to worry about. Plus, it is entertaining for the kids. But isn’t this also cruel? It seems mean to tease these waiting youngsters with a playground they cannot use unless the bus is late.
We all would arrive at the school. The girl approached me, begging me to be late.
I did not know how it would be possible to be late for school when we were already on school property, and half the kids had unloaded at this point. But I did assure her that if I am on this route again tomorrow, I will do a “better” job for her.
