Columbus City Schools bus drivers face daily difficulties transporting students due to extreme cold and snowy conditions. The district's extensive bus routes, covering millions of miles and serving thousands of students, are impacted by bus start-up issues, ice buildup, and hazardous driving conditions. Drivers start early to cope with the challenges of winter weather including frozen buses, snow-covered roads, and complicated pick-ups. The district prioritizes student safety, adjusting routes and employing resources to overcome the challenges.
Bitter cold and snowy conditions are creating daily challenges for Columbus City Schools bus drivers as they work to safely transport thousands of students across the district. The district operates about 450 bus routes, covering nearly 9 million route miles each year to serve approximately 28,000 students.
On a typical school day, 450 buses are running, fueled by diesel with drivers who begin their mornings long before sunrise. Some drivers start as early as 3 am during cold winter days. The extra time is needed because buses can take up to three hours to warm up in extreme cold. “Last week, we were starting the buses multiple times just to keep them running,” explained Kim Felts, Columbus City Schools bus driver. Ice and snow buildup have caused additional problems. In one instance, heavy snow melting off the roof of a bus refroze along the sides, preventing access to the door. “There was so much snow on the roof. When it melted, it ran down the side of the bus and turned into ice,” said William McKinley with Columbus City Schools Transportation Department. “We couldn’t even get the lock opened to get into the bus to start it.” Bus drivers are responsible for daily vehicle safety checks, and when a bus won’t start, the district relies on spare buses or jump-starting equipment to keep routes moving. “It’s just cold. Your fingers start to hurt, your back starts to hurt, your knees hurt. It's just so cold,” McKinley added. Felts added that winter weather makes driving especially difficult on freeways, hills, and dark roads, and snow often blocks driveways and sidewalks, complicating student pick-ups. “It’s challenging when snow blocks the sidewalks,” Felts said. “We just hope families can find a safe location where we can pick up the children safely.” Drivers also must adjust routes due to unexpected issues like water main breaks, which can force detours.Despite the challenges, the district says safety remains the top priority. Bus drivers told ABC 6 Monday they were relieved when students were able to stay home during the worst conditions, helping keep children and drivers safe. Drivers are encouraged to slow down, look ahead, and make sure everything is clear before continuing their routes. As weather conditions improve, Columbus City Schools says it looks forward to welcoming students back starting February 2.A Columbus City Schools spokesperson said they are assessing how many additional snow hours the district has in its ‘bank.’The search for a missing Indiana teenager has taken a tragic turn, and a suspect connected to the case is currently in custody.Today ended Columbus' third longest streak of consecutive days at or below 20. We went 8 days and tied the holding streak from 1893. Two more days would have bA Cleveland-area Democratic lawmaker is rallying opposition to a package of Republican-backed bills that would expand federal immigration enforcement powers witA Gahanna police officer has been stripped of her badge following an arrest for operating a vehicle under the influence.The Ross County Sheriff's Department has reported another threat to the Huntington Local School District.Law enforcement officers were called to the school ear
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