HARRISBURG, PA — Nearly $250,000 in state funding will help train dozens of new school bus drivers across Pennsylvania as part of a newly launched School Bus Safety Program aimed at improving student transportation safety.
What This Means for You
- Seven school districts and transportation providers received grants to train new bus drivers.
- Funds cover commercial driver’s license training, trainee wages, testing fees, and permits.
- A new application round opens March 2 at grants.pa.gov through April 30, 2026.
New School Bus Safety Program
The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation announced the first round of grants under the School Bus Safety Program, which uses revenue from automated school bus enforcement cameras.
Pennsylvania law allows school districts to install automated camera systems to enforce the state’s School Bus Stopping Law, which requires drivers to stop when a school bus has its red lights flashing and stop arm extended. Of the $300 fine issued for violations captured by these cameras, $25 is directed to PennDOT to fund the School Bus Safety Grant Program.
Grants can be used to pay for education and training costs associated with earning a commercial learner’s permit, a commercial driver’s license (CDL), or a school bus endorsement, as well as related wages and testing fees.
PennDOT Secretary Mike Carroll said the funding will help schools and transportation providers recruit and train additional drivers to safely transport students.
Where the Money Is Going
The following organizations received funding:
- Chartiers Valley School District in Allegheny County received $17,256 to train 12 new drivers.
- Fullington Auto Bus Company, serving Centre and Clearfield counties, received $42,500 to train 25 new drivers.
- Krapf School Bus – GKJ Inc., serving Chester, Dauphin, and York counties, received $98,160 to train 32 new drivers.
- Boyo Transportation Services in Dauphin County received $31,250 to train 10 new drivers.
- North East School District in Erie County received $8,160 to train eight new drivers.
- Laurel School District in Lawrence County received $1,000 to support operators obtaining a CDL with a school bus endorsement.
- DMJ Transportation in Westmoreland County received $50,000 to train new drivers.
Independent school bus contractors, school entities, and municipalities are eligible to apply for funding.
Next Application Round
The next grant application period opens March 2 and runs through 12:00 a.m. April 30, 2026. Applications must be submitted online at grants.pa.gov.
Additional program information is available at penndot.pa.gov/schoolbus.
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