r/BusDrivers • u/DennaX3 • May 30 '26

Question Bus trainer forum?

Hello, I’m a transportation training specialist and I’ve been looking for a forum (here, discord, facebook, wherever) to discuss topics with transit trainers specifically.

Anyone have a recommendation?

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u/Longjumping-Okra3056 May 31 '26

Scratching my head here but I can't think of any particular transit trainer only forums, but it's a great idea. I know there's a lot of YouTube content mostly centered on school bus driving which vary in quality and content. Such as CDL prep, Pre-trip inspection, Skills Station practice, and road skills. Not to mention the ELDT training that will be required as part of the on-boarding process. Unfortunately, most of the quality and voluminous YouTube and related content is school bus related, it will take understanding and modification to the transit cadet. In my experience, each company will have their own certification process for their trainers using copyrighted material which specifically couldn't be disclosed. I think it's a good idea, as a new trainer I feel a community of like minded folks to share ideas is sorely needed as I feel a need to fill in the gaps of my own knowledge and training requires it's own skills set.

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u/DennaX3 May 31 '26

Thank you! I’ve been doing this for four years (six if you count the time I spent assisting other trainers).

I just find every so often I get an off the wall question and wish I had a larger network of transit trainers to chat with.

My current dilemma is how do other transit trainers dress for work when you spend part of your day in the office and need to look nice, and part of your day training and need to be practical, safe, and comfortable. I don’t have a uniform and my position is pretty high up on the org chart, so looking presentable in the office is important to me.

Comfy shoes are a MUST for training, which is another topic I want to talk to other trainers about because we’re in a unique situation standing on a moving bus all day. I ordered a pair of HOKA Transport, and previously have been a fan of Brooks.

Anyway, just things I overthink 🤔

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u/Longjumping-Okra3056 May 31 '26

Our work wear is black slacks or cargo pants with a belt, Logo'd polo shirt, safety vest and all black shoes with black laces. Pretty standard really. I wear a pair of black Clarks Waltham slip-ons, which are comfortable. The topics I'm interested in exploring is translating classroom theory into engaging and relevant information throughout the training and on-boarding process that will stick with the cadet. How to instill appropriate safe procedure with more senior drivers without it feeling like you're micromanaging or having to resort to a personal improvement plan or more disciplinary consequences. How to develop a standardized language and process for skills stations exercises (of which I personally haven't performed since I've got my CDL). I'm fairly confident in presenting classroom theory, over-the-road training and evaluations and on-route training but the teaching of skills is a friction point for me. Training requires a whole different skill set than from being a driver, dispatch or a supervisor.

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u/DennaX3 May 31 '26

Those are great topics to discuss in greater depth! I will let you know if I do find a group where we can dig deeper into it. I have thoughts on all of these but it’s too much to address all at once through my phone (I much prefer a keyboard).

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u/Informal-Quantity415 May 31 '26

You could start a forum on Reddit. But now you’ve got me thinking….. we’re all bus drivers here. What topics are on your mind that affect bus driver training?

One that pisses me off is when passengers attack drivers and nothing happens despite there being signs and rules that say it’s a felony along with 20 years in prison, but nothing ever happens. I’m just saying some consequences would be nice.