Ellen Smith
Bakersfield,CA
Summary
Dedicated passenger transport professional skilled in pre-trip inspections and route navigation. Operated school and charter buses while ensuring safety compliance and clear communication with passengers and dispatchers. Maintained accurate trip records and adhered to traffic regulations and company policies, effectively supporting passengers, including those with mobility challenges.
Overview
1
1
Certification
20
20
years of professional experience
Work History
School Bus Driver
Kern High School District
Bakersfield
04.2006 - 09.2026
- Operated school buses for Kern High School District student routes and activity trips.
- Performed pre-trip inspections on brakes, tires, lights, and emergency equipment.
- Safely loaded and unloaded students at designated stops students safely at designated stops and campus locations.
Charter Bus Driver
Orange Belt Stages
Bakersfield, California
06.2017 - 09.2022
- Operated Orange Belt Stages charter buses on assigned routes and trips.
- Completed pre-trip inspections on coaches, brakes, lights, and safety equipment.
- Inspected tires, brakes, lights, oil levels, battery levels, and other important components prior to departure.
- Performed daily maintenance checks on the bus to ensure it was in safe working condition.
- Performed pre-trip inspection and mechanical checks before scheduled run.
- Completed post-trip inspections after arriving at final destinations to check for damage or missing items.
- Monitored fuel levels, cleanliness, and vehicle readiness for next departure.
- Loaded luggage securely into storage compartments before departing from pick up locations.
- Kept accurate records of hours worked and mileage driven for each trip.
- Kept accurate logs, trip records, and required driver paperwork.
- Drove established routes and maintained knowledge of streets and stops to deliver positive passenger experiences.
- Followed pre-determined routes as scheduled by transportation company.
- Utilized GPS navigation systems to find alternate routes when needed due to road closures or heavy traffic congestion.
- Navigated scheduled routes using maps, GPS, and dispatch instructions.
- Adhered to all traffic laws and regulations while operating the charter bus.
- Complied with traffic regulations to safely operate vehicles.
- Reported mechanical issues, delays, and incidents to Orange Belt Stages dispatch.
- Reported any incidents that occurred during trips such as medical emergencies, traffic violations.
- Communicated effectively with other drivers and dispatchers via two-way radio systems.
- Responded promptly to customer inquiries regarding schedule changes or delays.
- Assisted customers with any questions they had about their destination or route directions.
- Assisted passengers with boarding, luggage, and special mobility needs.
- Assisted passengers with loading and unloading luggage onto the bus.
- Helped elderly and disabled passengers board and exit bus.
- Provided assistance to elderly or disabled passengers when boarding or disembarking from the bus.
- Monitored the condition of passengers throughout trips to ensure their safety and comfort.
- Enforced safety rules and maintained calm passenger conduct during travel.
- Maintained a clean and organized interior of the bus at all times.
- Carried out emergency procedures in case of accidents or mechanical malfunctions on board the vehicle.
- Strictly enforced policies against alcohol consumption on board the charter bus.
- Recorded information related to each trip such as fuel used, time taken for each stop, number of passengers present.
- Completed accident and incident reports accurately and legibly at end of scheduled shifts.
- Learned and followed school transportation procedures.
- Obeyed DOT rules and regulations and local laws to maximize safety.
- Completed accident and incident reports accurately and legibly at end of scheduled shifts.
- Helped elderly and disabled passengers board and exit bus.
- Provided route, schedule and fare information to passengers.
- Performed pre- and post-trip safety and maintenance checks to mitigate hazards.
- Complied with traffic regulations to safely operate vehicles.
- Checked condition of vehicle's tires, brakes or safety equipment to verify working order.
- Followed safety regulations and state laws governing vehicle operation.
Education
BHS
Bakersfield, CaliforniaSkills
- Passenger transport
- Passenger safety
- Commercial driving
- Pre-trip inspection
- Route navigation
Certification
- class b-p cert, air brakes
Timeline
Charter Bus Driver
Orange Belt Stages
06.2017 - 09.2022
School Bus Driver
Kern High School District
04.2006 - 09.2026
BHS