The drivers who steer students safely to and from school got a little extra thanks this week. The Hastings Bus Company marked Bus Driver Appreciation Day with a breakfast that brought smiles, fresh bagels and a small moment of thanks for the people behind the wheel.

Each year school bus drivers across the country are recognized for their work at this time of year. The day is observed on the fourth Tuesday in April, a tradition meant to give communities a chance to say thanks for the care and time these drivers devote to students’ daily routines. It began as a way to highlight the importance of the job, and to make sure the adults responsible for riding yellow buses get a moment of appreciation.

At the Hastings Bus Company breakfast, drivers were greeted with bagels and coffee thanks to a local food truck run by Jenn and Bernardo Melecio, owners of Lock and Dam Eatery. The fresh bagel truck was parked outside the bus terminal, offering a relaxed start to the morning as drivers and aides gathered before their routes.

Manager Terry Johnson said breakfast was one way to show appreciation for a group that is always in motion. “We are always short staffed. We always need great people to take care of our area students,” Johnson said, speaking honestly about the challenges the company faces in keeping its routes covered.

The Hastings Bus Company serves students across the greater Hastings area, including Cottage Grove and Woodbury. Each school day, the local terminal dispatches 23 regular routes and 37 special education runs. Of those special ed routes, 28 include a bus aide to support students who need extra help.

The company’s drivers have a lot on their plates. From early mornings to long afternoons, they navigate traffic, weather and schedules as they transport children from neighborhoods to school and back again. For many families, the bus driver is one of the first friendly faces a child sees in the morning, and often the last at the end of the day.

The appreciation breakfast wasn’t just about food. It was a chance for coworkers to chat; laugh and recognize the effort it takes to keep so many students moving safely. Johnson said small gestures like this matter, especially when every day brings fresh challenges and a constant need for staffing.

“We always need great people,” he said again, appreciating the team and inviting more to consider joining. As drivers climbed aboard their buses that morning, there was a sense of gratitude in the air, a shared recognition that their work is an important part of school life.