Riverview bus driver calls ‘Best Bus Driver’ award highlight of his career

RIVERVIEW, N.B. – To be voted the best bus driver in all of New Brunswick is a big honour, one that was bestowed upon Riverview’s Darren Keddy on Monday.

Vice Principal of Riverview East School, Jonathan Godbout says Keddy was nominated by the staff, parents and students at the K-8 school.

“His positivity, his fun nature, and really, to make sure that those kids have a wonderful experience coming to school and heading home and being able to come to school with the right mind set on learning and excitement and really enjoying their time here.”

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "His positivity, his fun nature, and really, to make sure that those kids have a wonderful experience coming to school and heading home and being able to come to school with the right mind set on learning and excitement and really enjoying their time here."

Seven-year-old Jack Young says Keddy is the best driver because he plays games with the kids and “He is nice and helpful.”

Keddy says getting the award was the highlight of his career.

“I think going to school, for some kids, they don’t want to go to school you know, but if we can make it a little bit of fun going or coming back home you know, when they come on the bus or when they get off the bus they kind had a neat experience,” he said.

Today, Keddy pretended his bus was Santa’s sleigh.

“He pretends we are a submarine under water sometimes and it’s really fun,” Young said.

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "He pretends we are a submarine under water sometimes and it's really fun," Young said.

Keddy has been driving for about 10 years. It’s a job that doesn’t always come with a lot of accolades. The kids say there are rules they need to follow.

“Like no screaming” said Young.

Judging from how loud it was on the bus today, it’s a rule the kids tend to stretch a little. But Darren says this is the most rewarding job he’s ever had.

“They just bring you up you know when maybe you are not feeling so excited or something, they have a certain vibrance about them you know, they are all eager and you just can’t help but enjoy that and embrace that.”

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "They just bring you up you know when maybe you are not feeling so excited or something, they have a certain vibrance about them you know, they are all eager and you just can't help but enjoy that and embrace that."

Keddy says his top priority is always to keep the kids safe, which can be hard when people in cars whiz past their stop lights every day. Yet, every day parents trust Keddy to take care of their most precious cargo in ways they may not even realize.

“I try to help them get over things that sometimes they dwell on. I have had children cry all the way to school because their mom forgot to wave to them.”

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "I try to help them get over things that sometimes they dwell on. I have had children cry all the way to school because their mom forgot to wave to them."