School buses save parents time and money, but some say bus rides are also rife with bullying.
The American School Bus Council estimates that about 26 million out of the 50 million total students in the U.S. get to school by riding the bus each morning. That saves parents mileage and fuel, adding up to savings of nearly $8 billion each year.
For the children, there are many benefits. According to School Transport Services, a large fleet and consulting company focused on school bus safety, riding the bus gives children more social interaction and encourages independence. With no parents nearby, children must take care of themselves, gathering their belongings and safely exiting the bus.
But school buses are also the site of nearly 10 percent of all school bullying. While big kids often protect the little ones, the school bus ride is still a major occasion for misbehavior. According to the U.S. Department of Education, most drivers don't feel equipped to deal with the bullying and misbehavior while they are busy driving. About 52 percent of the approximately 550,000 bus drivers in America think that bullying is a serious issue and that around two-thirds of incidents aren't even reported – especially among older students.
