Michele LeTourneau
Northern News Services

NNSL (Dec 23/98) - City bus driver John Warren was born and raised on a Yellowknife bus.

Ok. He wasn't really born on a bus, but he was raised on one. John's dad Frank drove a city bus, too.

"Dad drove a bus for 27 years," says Warren. "He pretty well set up the bus system in this town."

"This is just natural for me to be on this bus -- right here -- I've been riding them since I was about 2 years old."

The father of five only just got back to Yellowknife about two or three months ago. Since leaving Yellowknife in '76 he's done all sorts of driving, such as tour busses and cabs.

Bus Route #2, Frame Lake to downtown, one of 3 routes, is Warren's. On the route, he picks up lots of school kids of all ages.

But kids don't bother Warren who stresses that as long as they're safe -- not jumping around from seat to seat -- the noise is no big deal.

"The more people you get, the louder it gets," he says nonchalantly, as a bus full of kids struggle to wake up on their way to school.

It's after school, when youthful energy rises high after a long day stuck in the confines of class, that the noise level can peak.

"As a parent, you learn to tune it out," laughs Warren.

"It's an easy job," he adds. "The last guy before -- I guess quit because of the kids. It's not worth getting stressed out over."

For the Christmas season, Warren bought a bucket of candy canes for the younger kids.

"I love kids," says Warren.

He's also collecting food donations for the Lions Club. And this year he hopes to get a city lights tour set up: pay $3 and a food item and you get a ride around the city to see all the christmas lights.

"Little kids love lights," says Warren.

That's just a few of the little things that make John Warren a special sort of bus driver. He jokes and teases his passengers. If a young straggler comes running up to the bus stop a little late, Warren offers a gentle reproof.

That's because he's on a very tight schedule.

"They've got it so tight, I don't have time for a nature call," admits Warren.

Warren's schedule has him working from 6:30 to 10 a.m. and again from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m.. Between shifts, he'll do some running around, meet his fiance for lunch, and maybe have a little nap.

Evening and weekends he can spend at home.