Westport Bus Driver Turns Experience Into Book

Remember the days of taking the school bus? The nostalgia, the memories, the hectic chaos from the older kids in the back,  It’s something most of us don’t think twice about, but for Westport’s Michael Prior, it became something much bigger than just a daily route.

Prior, who is wrapping up his fourth year as a school bus driver in Westport, is getting ready to release a book on Amazon titled Navigating the School Transportation System: A Bus Driver’s Perspective. What started as a simple idea nearly two years ago turned into a full deep dive into a system he says not enough people truly understand.

“I actually thought about writing a book years ago,” Prior said. “But once I started driving and seeing everything firsthand, I realized there was a much more interesting story here.”

He completed his first full draft last October and hasn’t looked back since.

More Than Just Driving a Bus

This isn’t just a collection of funny or chaotic bus stories. Prior takes a much broader look at the school transportation system, blending his real-life experience with what he calls his “business mindset.”

Once he got behind the wheel, he started noticing patterns and problems that occurred not just in Westport, but across the country.

“One of the biggest issues right now is the bus driver shortage,” he said. “It’s something every school system is dealing with.”

That shortage has a ripple effect. Fewer drivers means less consistency, which leads to parents relying less on buses and more on driving their kids to school. According to Prior, in some cases, less than half of eligible students are even taking the bus anymore.

Hence the long pickup line near the school.

A System That Needs to Change

One of his biggest takeaways is the difference between "reactive and proactive approaches", especially when it comes to student behavior on buses.

“The system tends to react after something happens,” he explained. “But being proactive has proven to be much more effective.”

READ MORE: Worst Places to Be Stuck Behind a School Bus on the SouthCoast

He talks about in his book how better communication, more involvement, and stronger relationships between drivers, schools, and families could make a major difference for both drivers and students.

Why He Loves the Job

With everything he’s uncovered, you might think the job would be overwhelming, but ask Prior what keeps him coming back, and the answer is simple.

“The best part? It’s the kids. Plain and simple," he said.

From morning greetings to keeping students engaged with trivia and math challenges while waiting at school, Prior has built real connections on his route. It’s those relationships that helped inspire his book.

Selflessly, he even made sure to honor longtime Westport bus driver Jane Vieira, who recently retired after 50 years, calling her a "true icon" in the community.

When and Where to Get the Book

Navigating the School Transportation System: A Bus Driver’s Perspective is set for release on May 19, but it’s already available for pre-order now on Amazon.

For Prior, it’s not about becoming a bestselling author. It’s about starting a conversation that involves parents, schools, and SouthCoast communities as a whole.