Lancaster County Public Schools (LCPS) is fortunate to have 16 bus drivers, and four full-time and six part-time car drivers who get up early every school day, put a smile on their face, and climb into their driver seat, ready to transport their precious cargo.
“Our drivers have a total of over 350 years of experience behind the wheel. Five drivers have been transporting children for more than 30 years each,” said director of operations and transportation John Mann.
“I started driving a bus when I was 22 years old,” said Patricia Gordon. “I remember taking my children on my route, strapping them into a car seat on the bus, and the kids begging to take turns sitting with them.”
Gordon is the third generation to drive a bus. She rode with her grandma and then her mom when she was young, so driving a bus was a natural progression—keeping the tradition alive!
“I have had the Weems run for the past 38 or 39 years. I get up every morning, make my run, drop off the kids at the high school, come back in the afternoon a bit early so I can chat with the other drivers, and then take the kids home.” Miss Pat, as she is called by the students, wants respect and, in turn, she respects them.
Dianne Abbot, a bus driver for more than 47 years, said, “I don’t know why people don’t want to be a driver. It is like family….
