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A bus ministry can be fun and rewarding for not only your church, but the whole community! That being said, a bus ministry can also bring serious and dangerous issues along with it if not carefully supervised and controlled responsibly.

What are some ways you can ensure safety for all of your passengers and the driver, all while bringing hope and love to your community through your bus ministry? Keep reading and find out!

Selecting the Perfect Driver

The driver or drivers for any bus ministry must be selected carefully. This is going to be one of the most important steps when it comes to developing the perfect program for your bus ministry.

They need to have a clear record. No tickets, no violations and no reckless driving. They should always be committed to safe driving no matter what, as well as show responsibility in areas other than just behind the wheel.

Up to 90% of all bus/car/van accidents occur due to the drivers lack of attention or recklessness. When choosing your driver, find someone you can trust with the proper certifications and licenses.

Keep Up-To-Date on Vehicle Maintenance

Staying on top of your vehicle maintenance is VERY important for a smooth ride when it comes to your bus ministry. Scheduling regular tune-ups and making sure your bus is in compliance with any light/color or weight requirements for your State are all very important tasks that you will want to be informed and stay informed about if the overall success of you bus ministry is important to you. (And we know it is!)

Safety and Supervision

As a general rule, having a “bus monitor” (most especially if children are aboard), is one of the best things you can do when it comes to the safety and well-being of the passengers on your bus. A driver cannot pay attention to the road and drive the bus while keeping an eye on all of it’s passengers and keep children out of trouble and in their seat belts. It’s just not possible. So, consider assigning a bus monitor for each trip.

Make sure that every church bus is equipped with triangular signs, a first aid kit, flags, flares and fuses are kept in a safe place on the bus at all times. Always hope for the best, but prepare for the worst. Make sure that for long trips, you schedule multiple drivers and allow rest in between driving.

Having a bus ministry is rewarding and exciting. But it’s always a good idea to be prepared and take it one step at a time. Stay alert and always drive safe, because we save lives that way!

Looking for more tips to get your bus ministry started?

Check out our recent post: PURCHASING A BUS CAN HELP YOUR MINISTRY GROW