After taking a break from driving school buses in St. Louis, she returned — to work with Zum

Vanessa Ward knows exactly when she started driving a school bus — 26 years ago — because it was right after her son was born

She stopped for a few years and worked elsewhere in transportation, including as a school liaison and in various office jobs. But when Zum partnered with Saint Louis Public Schools earlier this year, she decided to get back behind the wheel.    

“I love driving my bus — wheeling and dealing that big joker, I love it!” she says, laughing. “I love the skill of learning how. I love the kids coming in and out. I love everything about it.”

Ward is known for keeping a cheerful, welcoming environment on her bus. The kids she transports range in age from 4 up to high school seniors.

“Positive thinking, positive reinforcement — all these things matter with the children that I transport,” she says. “I once had (kids) that got on and they were kind of rowdy. I pulled over for a second. I said, ‘Hey, let me tell you something. You’re somebody. You matter.’ The whole (bus) got quiet. They were kind the rest of the route, because of that vibe of love and compassion.” 

At home, Ward is awake by 3 a.m. each morning to care for her husband, who has been ill for several years. She arrives at work early and, in addition to her two regular routes, she’ll often cover for any absent drivers.

“Zum cares about its employees, plus the technology is something we’ve never had,” she says. While today’s Zum drivers are equipped with tablets and an electronic routing system, Ward says not so long ago it was much more complicated. 

“We used to go on the bus and literally find our way around by mapping it (with a paper map) and putting down ‘left’ and ‘right,’” she says. 

Ward has been transporting children for so long that she says she often runs into former passengers — who now have kids of their own.

“I’ve had children that I drove when they were little, and then I see them in the store,” she says. “They say, ‘I know you, Miss Vanessa! You used to drive my bus!’ And that’s a good thing to hear. That means I put something out there that made your life better.” 

“Vanessa has been a shining example of a professional school bus driver for us in St. Louis,” said Richard Lindell, Regional Manager at Zum. “Her husband requires a lot of care, but she is able to handle that between routes and has a smile on her face all the time. Her parents have rated her a 4.7/5 stars, and she is very eager to provide a high customer service.”

When she isn’t working, Ward enjoys spending time with her family and binge-watching TV shows. On Thursday, she’ll cook a big Thanksgiving meal (including cornbread dressing and green bean casserole) and maybe catch up on Stranger Things.

As for the future, Ward says she’s happy right where she is.

“I’m looking forward to the journey,” she says. “There’s nothing that I don’t like about my job.”