Final answer:
Bus drivers must have a passenger endorsement on their CDL if they drive a vehicle designed to transport more than 16 passengers, including the driver.
Step-by-step explanation:
Bus drivers must have a passenger endorsement on their CDL if they drive a vehicle designed to transport more than 16 passengers, including the driver. This is defined by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulations.
According to the information provided, a one-hour one-way route operating on a 15-minute schedule needs 4 buses in service in each direction of the route. This implies that each bus is capable of carrying a significant number of passengers, which would require the driver to have a passenger endorsement on their CDL.
Moreover, the additional details about choosing a vehicle based on lifestyle and weather conditions are not directly related to the requirement for a passenger endorsement on a CDL for bus drivers. They are more focused on personal vehicle choices and considerations.
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