Bus Companies

Responsibilities of Drivers and Monitors

For the safety of all transported children, the driver and monitor must work as a team. They share these responsibilities:

• Drivers and monitors enforce rules of the bus, including:
  • Eating or drinking are not allowed on the bus.
  • Buses must be operated at safe speeds.
  • Children can only be released to responsible individuals on the child’s approved contact list.
  • Only children in the Ulster County Preschool and Early Intervention Program may ride the buses.
  • Only those authorized can enter the vehicle.
  • Drivers and monitors may not disembark the vehicle while passengers are inside, except to assist a passenger or in the case of an emergency.
  • All vehicles used must meet all DOT requirements. Each vehicle must have a fully stocked First Aid Kit, fully charged fire extinguisher, reflectors/triangles, and seat belt cutter, and an operational 2-way radio.
  • Attendance is taken daily. Every driver/monitor maintains a copy of the current attendance sheet with the children’s pick up and drop off location on the bus.
  • Any unusual occurrences on the bus concerning children are reported by filling out an Incident Report.
  • All accidents and medical emergencies are reported immediately.
• Duties of drivers and monitors include:
  • Drivers and monitors check for sleeping children after each trip, when leaving school grounds and at the last stop.
  • All drivers are responsible for knowing their current approved route. They complete dry runs each time a change occurs to in the approved route and notify parents of time changes the day prior.
  • Drivers/monitors assist children on and off the bus. They cannot take into or from schools or homes.
  • The monitor watches and supervises all the children on the bus for the duration of the run. In a van or suburban, the monitor must be seated in the back with the children.
  • Drivers and monitors must present a neat appearance and be polite, courteous, and professional. Drivers and monitors must wear ID badges while on the bus.
  • Drivers and monitors will not smoke on or near vehicles or on school grounds.
  • All drivers must perform a pre and post trip inspection of the vehicle before and after each trip.
  • All drivers and monitors are required to know how to buckle children and adjust car seat straps. Drivers and monitors make sure the car seats on their vehicle are in good working condition and check expiration dates on car seats.
  • Drivers and monitors keep the vehicles clean.
  • Drivers/monitors may not disclose any information about the passengers on their vehicle with any party without prior consent from Prismatic or their supervisors.

Incident Reports

As needed, drivers/monitors will complete incident reports related to a child’s behavior. These reports will be shared with the child’s parents and school. They will also provide reports for any accident, injury, or safety concerns that may occur.