This Zum school bus driver traded life on the ranch for days on the road

It’s a sunny afternoon in Southern California, and Don Lake is soaking it up. 

“I like to get out and walk around in the off times,” says Lake, a Zum school bus driver in Santa Barbara, CA. “The Golden State is 800 miles end-to-end. Can’t see it all if you tried … and I’ve been trying my whole life.” 

Lake, who has an easygoing nature and quick sense of humor, has been driving a bus for Santa Barbara Unified School District for the last two years. In addition to his morning and afternoon routes, he helps out whenever needed, whether it’s driving students on a field trip or shuttling high school athletes to an away game. 

“I really enjoy transporting the kids — it’s an honor and a privilege to me, actually,” he says. “I work with a really nice group of drivers, and the dispatchers are wonderful people who juggle and struggle and help us out.”

Prior to Zum, Lake managed a 400-acre ranch in Ojai, CA, for a well-known film and TV executive.

“We had citrus, avocados, hay, horses, some cattle,” he says. “We had olives and made olive oil.” When celebrities visited the ranch, he’d drive them around on a Polaris buggy and show them the sights.

“I’ve met a lot of really nice (famous people), and then some that are lucky to have the unearned capital of what they look like,” Lake says.

At Zum, Lake is known for his kindness and patience with students. But ask him to talk about himself, and he’s humble: “Well, I turn the wheel and I push the pedals,” he jokes, adding, “I just like to stay busy and be a positive contributor.”

“Donald Lake is one of the most reliable drivers here at Zum Santa Barbara,” says Eddie Romero, Senior Manager at Zum. “He hardly ever says no to helping around the yard or taking on any last-minute assignments the dispatch team may need help with. We appreciate Donald for his dedication and willingness to always step up when needed.”

Lake notes that he hopes to stay behind the wheel — although in California, it’s becoming more common to see self-driving Waymo cabs on the roads. 

“I saw one with a Labradoodle sticking his head out the window, but no driver. That made my day,” he says. “Eventually, bus drivers might get replaced, but hopefully I’ll be long gone. I think we’re good for a while.” 

Outside of work, you might find Lake at a Dodgers game, on a bicycle, or doing just about anything outdoors. His three sons are “all grown and hairy now,” including one who will get married in Connecticut this year. (“I’ve never been east of Arizona on the ground,” Lake says.

The last few years haven’t been easy for Don Lake, who is also a cancer survivor. But through it all, he remains in good spirits and just tries to “keep moving and don’t fall.”

“I’ve had a pretty interesting life, actually,” he admits. “I’ve done a lot of things, worked for some people and had some narrow escapes.”

Each day on his routes, Lake greets students and their families with a bright smile. When toddlers and tourists wave at his bus (which is often), Lake waves back.

“I try to live my life with gratitude,” he says. “Zum helped me have a place to land and feel like I could contribute again. I’m really grateful for that, so I put everything into it.”