Longtime Northern Iowa bus driver quit her job on her route
CHARLES CITY, Iowa – She’s one of the first faces young people encounter at the beginning and end of her day.
Optimistic and full of life, Betty Flick has been driving kids to school and events for nearly five decades.
“It’s quite a fun job. Driving and managing lots of kids, and I always have a full bus. I like the kids … and if you like kids, they like you too.”
Flick started working as a bus driver 48 years ago.
“I need a job. I thought, ‘I want to drive a bus. After doing that, I like it, I like kids and I love being with them.”
Although she considered retiring at age 65, her boss convinced her to stay. Now, at 78, Flick says the time is right to turn in her keys and retire, which she announced at the start of the school year. During the final after-school pick-up/drop-off on Tuesday, the students and their parents, some of whom had ridden buses under Betty when they were children, exchanged hugs and presented her with cards. Thank you cards and gifts. In addition, along the route, there are also signs expressing gratitude and wishes for well-being.
One thing she will miss dearly is seeing the kids every day.
“There’s a lot of things you won’t miss like bad weather… a lot of other things you don’t. But it comes with work.”
A farewell party for Flick will be held at the Central Service building near Charles City Middle School from 10 a.m. to noon Wednesday.
Longtime Northern Iowa bus driver quit her job on her route
