Rise and Shine. Let’s Go Back to School!

My first day of school begins with a trip to the Lakewood Bus Depot.

For those students who ride the bus, once they leave home, our APS drivers are the second “teacher” of the day after their parents. Sometimes the ride on the bus can set the tone for the whole day for our students – so getting off to a good start is essential. By visiting the Lakewood Bus Depot this morning, I was able to complete my visits to our bus depots. I visited Metropolitan Bus Depot before the start of the school year and met many bus monitors, bus mechanics, bus drivers, bus supervisors and dispatchers as they spent a couple of days practicing routes. We want our drivers to create environments that are safe, welcoming and respectful by modeling that behavior toward our parents, caregivers and students as we start and end the school day.

You will know our APS bus drivers by their maroon uniforms. The drivers I met were ready to go – I even ran into a former bus driver from one of my former districts! We were both excited to be together again in APS. Buses were already headed out as early as 5:30 in the morning. I was able to speak to the drivers through the radio and wish them well on their day.

I’ll be learning more about the bus depots. This one is in need of major facility improvements. 

I’m headed to Magnolia Park school bus stop in Vine City to ride with students to Bethune ES.

About Lakewood:  The Lakewood Bus Depot is located behind the district’s recently renovated Lakewood football stadium.  The depot houses a little over half of the 402 buses in the transportation fleet. 

In the News:  Last summer, the APS transportation department was featured in the Georgia School Bus Magazine, the official publication of the Georgia Association for Pupil Transportation. 

What’s New: Mr. John Franklin joined the district this summer as the new director of transportation.  Prior to working with APS, Franklin managed transportation for the nation’s eighth largest school district. 

Fast Facts:  APS buses will travel 21,904 miles per day, transporting 22,000 students to and from school. 

Fun Fact:  The area where the Lakewood Bus Depot now sits was once home to a popular fair that housed a circus big top, a carousel, a racetrack and a wooden roller coaster. 

 

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