Ronald Brett waits patiently at his first stop of the day. The students trickle onto the bus, escaping the cold and wiping the sleep from their eyes. On cold days he always gets there early so they don’t have to wait outside.
Brett, affectionately called Ronald by parents and students, has been a bus driver for 22 years. Growing up in Washington D.C., he walked to school everyday. He experienced his first bus ride when he was 18 years old and visiting his cousins in Ohio on their last day of school.
Brett’s day begins at the bus depot near Montgomery Mall, where he drops off his wife for her day as an aide on buses for special education students. He then starts his route ferrying kids to and from four different schools.
Brett makes a point to say good morning to every kid that comes on the bus. Some students walk past and take his positivity for granted, but most return his big smile and say good morning back.
“Ronald is the best bus driver,” freshman Sophia Walendowska said. “I love Ronald. He’s amazing and he’s so kind.”
Bus drivers’ importance is often overlooked. From the first day of kindergarten to the last day of senior year, bus drivers are often the first smile students see in their school day. Bus drivers aren’t only responsible for the safety of their kids, but also setting the tone for their ride to and from school.
“I’ve had different high school students come up and thank me, which is really the greatest gift they can give me, that they enjoy being on my bus,” Brett said.
He makes sure to be punctual, but also takes the time to greet the parents at the bus stop. People walking on the sidewalks wave to Brett as he passes. Brett rarely misses a day, so everyone knows, when they see the big yellow bus, that it’s him behind the wheel.
“I just try to be a positive influence on everyone I meet. That’s the way I am,” Brett said.
Driving a 40-foot long bus in the busy streets of Bethesda isn’t easy. Brett is constantly on the lookout for reckless driving that could endanger students. Even when people cut him off or honk at him, Brett never gets upset.
“Never judge anyone. We’re not here to judge, we’re here to help however we can. That’s what I spent my life doing,” Brett said.
As students get off the bus, Brett tells each of them to have a wonderful day. Most say thank you back and wish him a good day as well.
“He’s literally the best bus driver. He’s always happy and he’s really nice,” freshman Charlotte Kuperstein said.
Brett, who turned 72 this year, plans to continue driving for another two years, although he can never quite seem to retire. For now though, you can still see him driving below the speed limit in the suburbs near WJ.
“You’d be amazed when you look back on it, all the wonderful things that happened during the years,” Brett said.
