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JK
Top Member
USA
7307 Posts |
 Posted - 04/06/2001 : 10:02:05 AM
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This is the tail end of a story titled, "Plan to centralize bus stops fails; students to walk farther," published in the Apr 03, 2001 Oklahoman newspaper.
The school district in the story is apparently having trouble getting drivers to hire on or even to arrive to work on time when hired. I would really like to hear from everybody thoughts about the plan Oklahoma City Schools is offering to their bus drivers. Is this an appropriate plan to offer full grown employees? (jk)
Here's the clip:
... Transportation Director Raymond Randle said a large number of bus drivers avoid work on Fridays, so he wants to entice them with free doughnuts, ice cream parties and other incentives.
Incentives include:
Drivers with perfect attendance this month will be treated to an ice cream party.
Drivers with perfect attendance on any Friday will receive doughnuts or cupcakes.
Drivers with 90 percent attendance can receive training for Blue Bird buses with air brakes. The buses are popular among drivers.
Dinners for two or short vacation packages may be awarded to drivers with perfect attendance for each month for an entire year.
Drivers who recruit applicants can earn a bonus equal to a day's pay.
Longevity bonuses ranging from $100 to $300 will be awarded for returning bus drivers.
(Click Here) for entire story:
http://www.oklahoman.com/cgi-bin/show_article?ID=662171&TP=getarticle
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Phil4747
Top Member
USA
695 Posts |
Posted - 04/06/2001 : 11:57:26 AM
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I think it's a good idea...I mean, ice cream can be fun for anyone.
And if the reward for good attendance were a Blue Bird, I'd certainly come to work every day. 
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thomas86_a
Top Member
USA
4413 Posts |
Posted - 04/06/2001 : 1:00:53 PM
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I am glad that more school districts are offering incentives to get bus drivers to show up to work.
Ice Cream is not a major reward, but you have a nice social event with your other fellow co-workers which is really what I think is the nicest part about that one.
Dinner for two, or a short vacation-I think this is the best incentive you can give a driver. Most drivers like a short vacation but some can not take them because of the drivers that do not show up day after day. But if you have enough subs it is a good reward. If you don't have enough subs dinner for two is also nice.
A Blue Bird is a reward. In my district there are one or two drivers that like the blue birds, the rest fight for the Thomas buses. Thank god I have 22 years senority and don't have to drive a Blue Bird. To me driving one of the Blue Birds is punishment.
When it comes to driving a spare I take the 86 Thomas over the 91 blue bird because it is in better shape, and has less problems.
All of our buses have had air brakes for many years, so we are automatically required to take the air brake test and have it endorsed on our CDL.
Anyways I am glad to see more districts offering incentives for good or even perfect attendance.
"Thomas Built Buses-The best buses on the Road." |
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souixness
New Member
USA
2 Posts |
Posted - 04/07/2001 : 10:36:15 AM
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At our location we tried rewarding driver's with other incentives above and beyond their monthly performance bonus'. As the staff member who usually iniciated these "incentives" I would be drowned in a sea of negative comments. It was never right or enough.
I finally came to the conclusion that this was not what the drivers wanted and started thinking about it in a different way. I read the book 180 Ways to Walk the Recognition Talk by Erc Harvey. My eyes were opened. A driver, just like any other person, gauges their selfworth by how other percive them. They want to feel good about themselves and to feel that they are an important part of the organization.
For the folks in Oaklahoma: try having the ice cream parties for everyone to let them know how much they are appreciated and how important their job is, that they can make a difference.
Edited by - souixness on 04/07/2001 11:00:12 AM |
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B. Busguy33
Top Member
USA
3444 Posts |
Posted - 04/07/2001 : 4:54:20 PM
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In my opinion, the doughnuts, cupcakes, and other "sweet treats" should be given just before holiday breaks at a Christmas party that the transportation department holds for its drivers for example. Or, you could have one day set aside for that stuff...something called "School Bus Driver Appreciation Day". (I don't think many districts have one of these days set aside in their school calendar.)
I think that all the rest of the incentives are excellent though. If I worked there, I am sure I would be one of the driver's with good attendance...and I probably would be behind the wheel of that Blue Bird (no complaints there that's for sure)!!!! To me, that's just more incentive!!!!
Bob
"B. Busguy33" |
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WayneLifguard44
Senior Member
USA
92 Posts |
Posted - 04/20/2001 : 10:26:32 AM
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That is such a good idea! I mean I would come to work all the time! I would be behind that Blue Bird! Thats a good idea. But it a shame they have to do that to get driver to come to work.
Wayne Lifeguard44 -Tyler |
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JK
Top Member
USA
7307 Posts |
Posted - 04/20/2001 : 10:47:08 AM
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quote:
For the folks in Oaklahoma: try having the ice cream parties for everyone to let them know how much they are appreciated and how important their job is, that they can make a difference. -- souixness
Bravo!!!
Someone's on track to better relations with their bus drivers! (jk)
Edited by - jk on 04/20/2001 10:47:56 AM |
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thomas86_a
Top Member
USA
4413 Posts |
Posted - 04/20/2001 : 4:35:11 PM
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JK
I agree totally, let the bus drivers know they are appreciated, then they probably will all show up for work. Then the larger rewards will be for the ones with perfect attendance.
"Thomas Built Buses-The best buses on the Road." |
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Thomas00
Top Member
USA
546 Posts |
Posted - 04/21/2001 : 12:08:45 PM
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Two thumbs up!
I think that is a great idea. Maybe than drivers will start showing up to work. I think that all school bus transportation should praise thier drivers. Drivers are the hardest working people I know. Everyone think driving a bus is so easy, well I would like to see them driving a bus for a day and see what like!When driving a bus you have to keep your eyes on the road and the students on the bus, that is doing two thing a once!For the people who alway dogging out the drivers should shut up and go to HE double hocky sticks!One again keep up the good work drivers and alway have your head up toward the sky because you are somebody!
Edited by - Thomas00 on 04/21/2001 12:10:47 PM
Edited by - Thomas00 on 04/21/2001 12:14:47 PM
Edited by - Thomas00 on 04/24/2001 10:42:25 PM |
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Silas J.
Top Member
USA
938 Posts |
Posted - 12/23/2001 : 09:59:48 AM
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I would show up for work(I missed all of 7 hours of school last year and thanks to the airlines I have missed two days this year).I don't see anything wrong with giving them ice cream(put some weights and a treadmill or something in the driver's lounge).Maybe they should have the drivers honored at the schools and sheets passed out to the kids about how hard it is to drive a bus and what could happen if you don't follow the rules,ect.
Silas J.
97-12 It will outrun your bus.
Posts dedicated to 87-24
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buswench
Active Member
USA
38 Posts |
Posted - 12/27/2001 : 9:57:36 PM
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I am sure it must be because I am a stubborn south side of Chicago irishwoman, but ice cream would not entice me to appear at work, if I was not going to come in, in the first place. But... if it works, then I'd go with it. Bluebirds for a reward... hmmm... all we have are bluebirds.
San |
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BusMeETC
Active Member
12 Posts |
Posted - 01/14/2002 : 6:48:03 PM
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GREAT! I did a "Breakfast Club" incentive for one district...those with perfect attendance for the month got a nice hot breakfast after their morning route. We also posted the names on the wall...by the end of the year, a whole wall was covered! We improved overall attendance by 9% In a district of 100 drivers, that's 9 drivers a day! Sure, there were complaints, mostly from the ones who never made it. But I watched some "pretty tough cookies" work their way to just one month of perfect attendance, and watched how proud they were! Hey, things happen, but when employees come to work everyday, it's nice to show your appreciation!
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MamaLoca
Advanced Member
USA
400 Posts |
Posted - 01/15/2002 : 10:26:50 AM
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Incentives are all well and good, but a pay raise and benifits would go further. Compensate your drivers at a professional level and you will attract Professional Level drivers. And believe me, I have nothing against donuts and ice cream but I think that a pay increase would make a longer lasting impression.
Besides, gifties are tax deductable. Higher pay also brings with it high unemployment insurance permiums. Of course this wouldn't effect the drivers employed by Districts, but it would have a great impact of private contractors. The only premium we gat is an end of the year safety bonus if we complete the year without a cargeable accident. Any breakfast or lunchion is from the PTA or other organization.
Smile, it makes people wonder what you're up to.
http://www.canandaiguaschools.org/bus/ |
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ICE CREAM PARTY for good bus drivers?
