DUNCANNON, PA — As students return to classrooms across the Commonwealth, the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) and the Pennsylvania School Bus Association (PSBA) are reminding motorists to prioritize school bus safety and calling attention to the ongoing shortage of qualified school bus drivers statewide.
During a visit to the Rohrer Bus facility in Duncannon on September 4, 2025, PDE Acting Secretary Dr. Carrie Rowe joined PSBA leaders to emphasize the critical role school bus drivers play in ensuring students arrive safely and on time while underscoring the responsibility of drivers to obey Pennsylvania’s School Bus Stopping Law.
“Safe transportation is a critical part of ensuring equitable access to education,” Dr. Rowe said, adding that PDE will continue to work with partners to review outdated policies while urging motorists to do their part by stopping for school buses.
Driver Shortages Pose Challenges
The PSBA highlighted that Pennsylvania continues to face a shortage of school bus drivers, which has disrupted transportation in some districts. Training and licensing for new drivers typically take 10 to 12 weeks and include classroom instruction, in-bus training, clearances, written and skills tests, and certification to operate a commercial driver’s license.
Gerry Wosewick, PSBA’s executive director, said the organization remains committed to working with PDE to expand recruitment and improve training programs. He stressed that educating prospective drivers about the “rewarding and vital” nature of the role is essential to addressing the shortage.
Reminders for Pennsylvania Drivers
Officials reiterated several key points of the School Bus Stopping Law, which applies to motorists statewide:
- Drivers must stop at least 10 feet from school buses with flashing red lights and an extended stop arm.
- Drivers must stop whether approaching, following, or meeting a stopped bus, including at intersections.
- Vehicles may not resume moving until the lights stop flashing, the stop arm retracts, and all children have reached safety.
Violating these rules carries significant penalties and poses serious risks to students and transportation personnel.
Investing in Education and Safety
Governor Josh Shapiro’s administration has made education a cornerstone of its agenda, securing more than $2 billion in additional K-12 funding since taking office. The proposed 2025-26 budget builds on that investment, including $75 million in new funding for public schools and $526 million targeted toward districts and students most in need.
Officials underscored that ensuring students arrive at school safely and ready to learn is central to these investments. PDE and PSBA continue to collaborate on recruitment campaigns and provide resources to encourage more Pennsylvanians to pursue careers as school bus drivers.
Residents interested in learning more about training, certification, and available positions are encouraged to explore opportunities through PDE and the PSBA.
For the latest news on everything happening in Chester County and the surrounding area, be sure to follow MyChesCo on Google News and MSN.