The Daily Herald Article: Everyday Heroes Meet the Bus Drivers

The Daily Herald ran an article titled, "Everyday Heroes: Meet the Bus Drivers Who Tackle Utah County's Toughest Routes."

The canyons present their own challenges.

“Go slow,” said Gary Hubbs, a driver who drives the Birdseye route up Spanish Fork Canyon to Indianola for the Nebo School District. “You go as slow as you have to be to be safe.”

Hubbs drives 35 miles up the canyon in order to pick up 20 students. He drives 70 students, total.

On Thursday, a snowstorm made the drive tough.

“I never saw the road once during the whole entire trip,” he said.

But if the bus drops off the students are late, the schools understand. Hubbs said the focus is on keeping the students safe.

He’s has had trips where the wind is blowing and he’s only able to see two feet in front of him. During those conditions, he’s recruited students to help him try to spot the posts to check that they’re still on the road as he drives at 2 mph.

With a cattle ranch and his church in the area, Hubbs personally knows many of the students. It’s those connections that made him switch from being an activities driver to a regular route.

“I wanted to do it for a long time just because I know all the families,” he said.

They’ll tease him that he drives like an old farmer. Hubbs shoots back that he is.

But knowing that he has to stick to a schedule can make driving slow mentally tough.

“Being in a school bus, it is always OK to be late, but you can never be early,” he said.

Lana Hiskey, a spokeswoman for the Nebo School District, said Hubbs has received district awards and is known for being safe, courteous, reliable and for cheering on athletes at games.

“He really is the best of the best,” she said.

Hubbs said he wouldn’t be able to do it without the district’s team, which includes supervisors who will drive buses when there’s a shortage of drivers and mechanics who are always willing to help.

“None of us would ever be able to do it if we didn’t have the most amazing mechanics,” Hubbs said. “They take care of us better than you could ever imagine.”

For the entire article, go to: https://www.heraldextra.com/news/local/education/precollegiate/everyday-heroes-meet-the-bus-drivers-who-tackle-utah-county/article_083744f9-820d-5fd3-ad67-24673b1c81e5.html

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