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Portrait of a bus driver
Marissa King never planned on becoming a school bus driver — but it turned out to be the perfect fit.
The Greenport native was in her early 20s and with two young daughters when her father-in-law, a longtime mechanic at Sunrise Busses, suggested she give the job a try for some extra cash.
“My oldest was starting Pre-K, and I actually got to be her school bus driver,” King said. “I was nervous at first, but the training was great, and I got comfortable pretty quickly. Before I knew it, I really loved it.”
That was back in 2015. Today, King is the proud mom of four daughters, ages 13, 11, 4, and 2.
And she’s never stopped driving.
September marks her 10th year behind the wheel, often with her little ones in tow.
Perfect for family life
Sunrise wants you! Bus line is hiring school bus drivers and mechanics
In those early days, her 2-year-old would ride along in a car seat for morning and afternoon runs. After drop-off, King could head home, spend the day with the baby and be back in time for the afternoon route.
“It was the hours — being able to be home with my smaller kids — that really made it work,” she said.
‘It’s rewarding’
Over the years, King has driven everyone from Pre-K students to high schoolers — often on the same route. She’s had the same run for six or seven years, and says the relationships she’s built are one of the best parts of the job.
“It’s nice seeing all the kids get on the bus smiling, saying good morning,” she said. “Or if you see them in public, they say ‘Oh, it’s my bus driver! Hi Mrs. Driver!’ That’s really rewarding.”
She also credits the Sunrise Busses team for creating a supportive work environment from day one.
“The company has been amazing from the very beginning,” King said. “If you need anything, you can walk into the office and they’ll do their best to help you.”
Join up
Sunrise Busses is currently hiring drivers and mechanics for the upcoming school year. Click here to learn more.
