At the start of their shifts, bus drivers report to the garage. There they prepare trip report forms and receive tickets and transfers. Some school bus drivers take their buses home with them, so they do not have to report to the garage each day. Before beginning their routes, all bus drivers inspect their buses. They check that all emergency equipment is present and that the bus is functioning properly.
Drivers pick up and drop off passengers at bus stops or stations.
They pick up students at their homes or on street corners. Intercity and local bus drivers collect fares and answer questions about routes and transfers. They sometimes announce stops. School bus drivers do not collect fares. Instead, they prepare weekly reports about the number of riders, special trips, work hours, miles, and fuel used.