Credit: Pennsbury School District
Pennsbury school bus driver Joseph West began driving kids to school while in high school himself.
Advertisements
West, who was recently named Pennbury’s School Bus Driver of the Year, was just 16 years old when he received a special license in Bladen County, North Carolina. He was one of 14 teenagers to get the special license to transport their peers from their rural homes to the county’s central K-12 school.
Recalling his previous experience growing up, West’s late wife mentioned that he might want to go back to driving buses once he retired from a 41-year career in the automotive industry. He said he was at home and running out of things to occupy his time.
West began driving Pennsbury students in 1996 and continues to this day. He currently drives bus number 50.
Advertisements
“It’s given me a purpose to get up in the morning, besides to go get breakfast,” he said. ”
West and some of his 135 colleagues do complain about their jobs from time to time, but the longtime bus drive says they really do love their jobs.
“I’m just one of many that do the job for Pennsbury. We do it because we enjoy it.”
Advertisements
West was recognized recently by the school board. A message from a teacher pleased with his efforts transporting special needs students was read before he was officially named School Bus Driver of the Year.
“No one who is a close friend or family is going to believe this, I’m speechless,” he said with chuckle.
