Pocono News Section

Bus Drivers Deal With Wintry Blast

Bus Drivers Deal With Wintry Blast - Wednesday, December 9, 2009 at 5:15PM EST

Reported by: Jeremy Deebel
Wednesday, Dec 9, 2009 @ 05:15pm EST
Williamsport, Lycoming County-

These slick, snowy conditions make travel hard on just about everyone. But how do bus drivers fare when the weather turns nasty?

When the snow piles up, everyone at River Valley Transit steps in, to ensure public transportation doesn’t get interrupted.

R. V.T. Special Projects Manager Frank D’Alena said, “We usually put out some extra buses to make sure people get to work on time, make sure of safety, the drivers don’t have to rush around.”

Drivers like Mark Karschner say the weight of the bus makes for decent traction even in bad conditions.

He explained, “You get used to driving in the snow after a few years. The main thing is to watch out for the other guys so they don’t slide into you.”

Riders we talked with say they appreciate the extra effort. For Deanna Hayes, public buses are her main form of transportation.

Hayes, of Williamsport, remarked, “Oh I feel quite satisfied with it. It’s comfortable. You don’t have to worry about shoveling cars out. You just get out, get on the bus, they take you where you (need to) go.”

Hayes noted the bus drivers have gone the extra mile to get them where they need to be, and not a minute late.

She noted, “Yeah I haven’t had to wait that much. They’ve been pretty good. They’ve been on time and they’re quite safe.”

Karschner says the early morning hours are usually the worst, before the snow plows have had a chance to go out and really clean up the mess. He says there’s only one good way to avoid that.

Karschner explained, “The trick is to be here 32 years and then you don’t have to be here first thing in the morning. You start at 10 o’clock and you have a better day.”

River Valley Transit officials say they also bring in extra staff to handle the high volume of phone calls they receive on days like today.