Bristol Twp., Neshaminy Schools Get Money For Bus Driver Training

Two area school districts have been awarded state funds to help fight the shortage of school bus drivers.

The Bristol Township School District will receive $8,100, and the Neshaminy School District was awarded $38,498, according to PennDOT.

The money is part of $1.1 million distributed statewide by PennDOT to assist districts in hiring drivers.

The funding will cover training costs for more than 430 new school bus drivers statewide. Covered expenses include commercial driver’s license (CDL) training, trainee wages, and permit and testing fees, PennDOT said in a statement.

“Making sure we have enough qualified drivers to get students to and from school safely and reliably advances that investment,” PennDOT Secretary Mike Carroll said. “This funding gives schools and communities the support they need to ensure students can focus on learning and achieve success.”

Funding for the School Bus Safety Grant Program is generated through automated camera systems installed by school districts to enforce Pennsylvania’s School Bus Stopping Law. Under the law, districts are permitted to operate these systems to protect students riding school buses.

When a driver gets a $300 fine for an automated violation, state law requires $25 of that penalty to be directed to PennDOT for the grant program.

Data from PennDOT’s Automated School Bus Enforcement program showed 76,413 violations statewide recorded in 2024.

The Bristol Township and Neshaminy school districts both used the BusPatrol automated enforcement system on their buses.

Grant funds from the program are to be used to cover education, training, and related costs for individuals working to earn a commercial learner’s permit, commercial driver’s license, or school bus endorsement to drive a school bus in Pennsylvania. The money can also be used to promote and enhance school bus safety, education, and training.

According to Pennsylvania’s School Bus Stopping Law, drivers approaching a school bus with flashing red lights and an extended stop arm must come to a complete stop at least 10 feet away. Drivers traveling from all directions must stop unless they are on the opposite side of a divided highway separated by a physical barrier, such as a concrete barrier, guide rail, or grassy median.

When a school bus activates its flashing yellow lights, it signals that the vehicle is preparing to stop. Drivers approaching yellow lights are required to slow down and prepare to stop.