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BusPatrol Information

Upper Merion Area School District School Bus Safety Program 

Stop for the Bus. It's Pennsylvania State Law. 

Upper Merion Area School District has partnered with BusPatrol to launch a new school bus safety program in line with PA Motor Vehicle Code § 3345.1. 

The district's fleet has been modernized with advanced safety technology, including photo enforcement cameras to detect vehicles that illegally pass stopped school buses. This initiative aims to reduce dangerous driving behavior and enhance student safety. 

 According to the National Association of State Directors of Pupil Transportation Services (NASDPTS), school buses are unlawfully passed almost 40 million times each school year in the United States.

Contact Information

To speak to a representative about a violation, contact the AlertBus Customer Contact Center toll-free support line at 1-800-852-7741. 

  • The Contact Center is available Monday- Friday (8 am – 5 pm)
    • English and Spanish-speaking customer service agents are available to address your inquiries.
    • To expedite our service, please have your citation number ready when you call. 

Online Access:

To view the violation video evidence online or to pay a violation by credit card, visit www.alertbus.com and enter your citation number (example: PA-777777) and vehicle license plate number (no dashes or spaces), as listed on your citation. 

FAQs

How often do motorists illegally pass stopped school buses in Pennsylvania?

This is a serious problem in our state. Every day, more than 21,000 school buses transport about 1.3 million students in Pennsylvania. Sadly, drivers illegally pass these buses more than twice per bus per day—putting children at risk thousands of times daily.

In 2024 alone, a PennDOT and Pennsylvania State Police report showed that more than 76,000 motorists statewide were cited for illegally passing a stopped school bus.

There are signs of improvement. During PennDOT’s Operation Safe Stop—a one-day enforcement and education effort—school buses were illegally passed over 130 times in 2024, down from 177 in 2023. While still far too many, this drop suggests that enforcement and awareness efforts are starting to make a difference.

 

How does the school bus safety program work?

Through the school bus safety program, we have equipped every bus in our fleet with advanced safety technology, including AI-powered stop-arm cameras. These cameras detect when a vehicle breaks the law and illegally passes a stopped school bus. 

By using automated enforcement, local law enforcement can monitor every school bus stop and hold drivers accountable for violating the law and putting students at risk. 

Over time, the program helps change driver behavior, reduce illegal passings, and ensure children get to and from school safely every day. 

  1. When a vehicle illegally passes a stopped school bus displaying its stop signal, the stop-arm camera captures footage of the violation. 
  2. The footage is securely sent to law enforcement for their independent review to confirm if a violation occurred. 
  3. If law enforcement confirms the violation, a Notice of Violation is mailed to the registered vehicle owner. Data shows that over 90% of first-time violators do not illegally pass a school bus again, making roads safer for students.

 

How does the program enhance student safety through community education and public awareness?

The school bus safety program combines education and enforcement to change motorist behavior and promote a culture of awareness and responsibility around school buses. 

Before the start of the program, we are partnering with the Upper Merion Township Police and BusPatrol to run an extensive public awareness campaign to inform motorists about this new enforcement initiative in Upper Merion. The public awareness campaign may include strategies such as a warning period, press coverage, and community outreach with the goal of education to change driver behavior before the bus safety program officially starts.  

We are also dedicated to the continuous education of our community about school bus safety to ensure safer roads for everyone.

How much is the fine for illegally passing a school bus in Pennsylvania?

In Pennsylvania, a first-time violation captured by a school bus camera is considered a civil offense and results in a $300 fine. Importantly, because it is a civil offense, no license points are added to the driver's record for a first offense.

When should I stop for a school bus in Pennsylvania?

Motorists must stop for a school bus when its red lights are flashing and the stop sign is deployed. Here are the key rules to follow:

  • Stop at least 10 feet away from the bus.
  • Stop behind, in front of, or at an intersection where the bus is stopped.
  • Stop if traveling alongside or following a bus, and do not proceed until the red lights stop flashing and all children are safely off the road.
  • If there's a physical barrier (like a grassy median, guide rails, or concrete barriers) separating traffic, vehicles in the opposite lane do not need to stop.
  • Never proceed until all children have reached a place of safety.

For a visual guide on when to stop, check out the graphic and video below for more detailed instructions.

For more information, visit the PennDOT School Bus Safety page.

 

How do I contest a violation issued through the School Bus Safety Program?

If you wish to contest a violation, you must request a hearing within 30 days of the notice date. Complete the form included with your notice and return it by mail or email both sides to pahearingevidence@buspatrol.com. 

You can contest the violation if any of the following apply: you weren't driving the vehicle at the time, the vehicle was stolen before the violation, you weren't the owner at the time of the offense, the camera system wasn't properly tested or certified, or the system was not in compliance with the department’s regulations. Detailed instructions are on the back of the notice.

 

Links and Resources for More Information