Diane's Buses

Goal: Sole owner Diane Bourne's goal is to provide a safe and enjoyable ride for Seeley Lake Elementary (SLE) students to and from school and school activities.

History: With no prior experience, Bourne and her ex-husband Bill Yiengst purchased the elementary bus business and three buses from Harold Solomon in December 1995, renaming it Diane's Buses.

"I didn't want to drive bus," said Bourne. "But my ex-husband was interested so I went along with it." She took over the contract for the rest of the school year and then was awarded the contract with SLE for another four years. Every five years her contract has been renewed. "It was a good part-time job for me," said Bourne. "It was a couple hours per day and I could be around [for my family]." Along with Yiengst, Bourne had one other driver when she started. They ran two route buses and one trip bus.

In 2000, Bourne upgraded her buses to automatic transmission diesels. Her buses in the past were standard transmissions and she said it was a lot nicer because she did not have to worry about shifting.

Diane's Buses has done trips outside of the SLE contract including weddings, graduations, camps and has served as a shuttle for local events.

Now Diane's Buses employs one part-time driver, Gary Wayne, in addition to Bourne and four backup drivers. All drivers are required to have a Commercial Driver's License (CDL) with a school bus and passenger endorsement; First Aid/CPR; Department of Transportation physical; 10 hours of safety training per year; be finger printed; pass a background check and are subject to random drug and alcohol testing.

The two route buses pick up SLE students from as far north as Gray's Mill at mile marker 22 on Highway 83, around Boy Scout Road, west into Dogtown, along Morrell Creek Drive, east towards the Seeley Lake Airport on Frontier Drive and Canyon Road and as far south as Kozy Korner. "I really enjoy the kids and I like to drive," said Bourne. "Sometimes I would rather drive the bus in bad weather because I feel safer."

Products & Services: Diane's Buses is under contract with SLE to transports students to and from school on daily routes and for school activities.

For More Information: Diane's Buses can be reached by calling Bourne at 406-677-2145.