How Driving a School Bus Can Be Your Next Stable Career

A layoff can feel like the rug has been pulled out from under you. One day you’re showing up for work, the next you’re updating your résumé, worrying about bills, and wondering what comes next. If you live in Columbia or Montour County, though, there’s a career option you might not have considered—one that offers stability, purpose, and a schedule that actually respects your life outside of work.

That option is school bus driving with FishingCreek Transportation.

Serving school districts across Columbia and Montour counties, FishingCreek Transportation has been safely getting students to and from school for decades. Behind every bus is a trained, reliable driver—and right now, that could be you. If you’re coming off a layoff, this isn’t just a job. It’s a practical, community-centered way to restart your working life.

Why School Bus Driving Is a Strong “Second Act” Career

When people think about starting over after a layoff, they often picture switching industries, going back to school, or competing for the same jobs as everyone else in the area. School transportation is different.

School bus driving offers:

• Consistent demand – Students need to get to school every day, regardless of economic ups and downs.

• Local work – Routes are based in the same communities where you live, shop, and raise your family.

• Part-time or near full-time hours – Depending on your routes and extra trips, you can keep it light or build up more hours.

• Clear structure – The work is tied to the school calendar, so you know when you’re on and when you’re off.

If your last job felt shaky, unpredictable, or dependent on market swings, the rhythm of school transportation can feel refreshingly solid.

Turning a Layoff Into a New Beginning

A layoff can be discouraging, but it can also be a pivot point. Instead of trying to get back into the same type of role that just disappeared, you have the chance to look for work that’s:

• More aligned with your values

• Better for your health and stress levels

• More stable over the long term

Driving a school bus checks all three boxes. You’re not selling a product you don’t believe in or chasing sales targets; you’re helping kids get safely to school, activities, and home again. You’re not expected to work 60-hour weeks; your schedule is structured and predictable. And because every school day depends on transportation, the role is built into the fabric of the community.

That’s a very different kind of security than many people had in their previous jobs.

You Don’t Need a Professional Driving Background

One of the biggest misconceptions people have is that you need years of commercial driving experience to become a school bus driver. In reality, many drivers come from completely different backgrounds:

• Manufacturing or warehouse work

• Retail, food service, or hospitality

• Healthcare support roles

• Office and administrative jobs

• Construction or trades

What matters most isn’t your last job title—it’s your reliability, your willingness to learn, and your commitment to safety.

FishingCreek Transportation provides training to help you earn the proper license, understand safety procedures, and get comfortable behind the wheel of a larger vehicle. You’ll learn the mechanics of the bus, how to complete safety inspections, how to navigate your route, and how to manage a bus full of students calmly and professionally.

If you’re teachable and steady, you can learn the rest.

A Predictable Schedule That Supports Real Life

One of the hardest parts of many jobs today is the unpredictability: last-minute schedule changes, required overtime, or being on-call at all hours. After a layoff, you might be craving something more grounded.

School bus driving offers a schedule that’s both structured and human:

• Morning run – You start early, get students safely to school, and then you’re done for several hours.

• Afternoon run – You return for the after-school route, bring students home, and your workday is over.

In between, you have a long block of time that’s yours. You can:

• Attend appointments

• Take classes or online training

• Work a side business

• Help with family responsibilities

• Simply rest and regroup after a tough season

Unlike many jobs, evenings, nights, and weekends are typically yours—unless you choose to take on extra trips like sports events or field trips for additional income.

Serving Columbia & Montour Communities You Already Know

If you’ve been laid off from a factory, shop, office, or facility in Columbia or Montour County, chances are you’ve lived here a while. You know the roads, the neighborhoods, and the people.

Working with FishingCreek Transportation keeps you rooted in that same community. It’s local work in the truest sense:

• You’re driving the children of your neighbors, friends, and coworkers.

• You’re connecting with school staff, mechanics, and other drivers daily.

• You’re contributing to the everyday rhythm of the districts you see on the news and hear about at the grocery store.

For many people coming out of a layoff, that local connection is exactly what they need—a reminder that they’re still part of something bigger, even while they rebuild.

A Job With Purpose and Pride

When your previous job ends abruptly, it can feel like your work didn’t matter. Driving a school bus is the opposite of that feeling.

Every morning when you start your route, you know exactly why you’re there:

• Parents are counting on you so they can get to their own jobs.

• Students are counting on you so they can arrive safely and on time.

• Schools are counting on you so they can start the day smoothly.

That sense of being needed and trusted can do a lot for your confidence after a layoff. You’re not just earning a paycheck; you’re playing a key role in the education system and the daily life of your community.

Support, Structure, and a Team Behind You

Starting something new after a layoff can feel intimidating. The good news is you’re not on your own.

With a company like FishingCreek Transportation, you have:

• Dispatch and office staff who help with routes, questions, and communication.

• Trainers and experienced drivers who show you the ropes.

• Mechanics and maintenance teams who keep the fleet in safe working order.

• Clear procedures and policies so you always know what’s expected.

Instead of being thrown into the deep end, you’re brought along step by step. That structure is especially helpful if you’re switching industries or coming back to work after time off.

Is School Bus Driving Right for You After a Layoff?

You don’t have to be “a natural driver” or someone who’s always dreamed of driving a bus. Ask yourself a different set of questions:

• Am I dependable and willing to show up on time every day?

• Can I stay calm and patient around kids, even on loud or busy days?

• Do I want a job that’s local and rooted in my community?

• Would a predictable, part-time–to–moderate-hours schedule work well for my life right now?

• Am I ready to learn something new and build a different kind of career?

If you answered “yes” to most of those, school bus driving in Columbia or Montour County could be a very good fit.

How to Take the First Step

You’ve already done one of the hard things—getting through a layoff. The next step doesn’t have to be complicated. Here’s a simple way to move forward:

1. Visit the FishingCreek Transportation website and look for the “Join Our Team” or “Employment Opportunities” section.

2. Read about school bus driver positions to get a feel for the requirements, the training process, and the benefits.

3. Submit a short application or interest form so someone from the team can follow up with you.

4. Ask questions about training, schedules, routes in Columbia and Montour counties, and how your prior work experience can translate to this new role.

From there, you’ll be guided through the process—no guesswork, no trying to figure it out alone.

A layoff may have closed one door, but it doesn’t have to define your future. In Columbia and Montour counties, school bus driving with FishingCreek Transportation offers a practical, stable, and meaningful way to start your next chapter.

When you’re ready, this could be the lift-off you’ve been looking for.