BusPatrol
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Methacton School District and BusPatrol kick off a new stage in their partnership to make children’s travels to and from school safer!
All Methacton School District school buses have ACTIVE safety technology cameras, including AI-enabled stop-arm enforcement cameras. The safety technology is designed to capture school bus violation events and vehicle license plate numbers. Stop-arm enforcement begins on Tuesday, September 6th 2022. Violations are confirmed by local law enforcement. A first-time stop-arm violation will carry a fine of $300.
BusPatrol’s technology, installation, and maintenance have been provided at zero cost to the district or taxpayers thanks to their violator-funded business model.
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Stop Arm Violations Chart 23-24
Bus Patrol SY 23-24
Category Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan* Feb* Mar April May June Citations Sent for Review 88 158 194 100 246 108 Lower Providence 15 Worcester 93 Citations Approved 24 51 47 26 112 59 Lower Providence 5 Worcester 54 Month's Approval Rate 27.3% 32.3% 24.2% 26.0% 45.5% 54.6% Lower Providence 33.3% Worcester 58.1% YTD Citations Sent for Review 88 246 440 540 540 540 786 894 YTD Citations Approved 24 75 122 148 148 148 260 319 Approval Rate 27.3% 30.5% 27.7% 27.4% 27.4% 27.4% 33.1% 35.7% Tickets Mailed 16 150 108 99 52 57 31 32 YTD Tickets Mailed 16 166 274 373 425 482 513 545 Hearings Requested 0 1 5 0 0 YTD Hearings Requested 0 1 6 6 6 6 6 6 YTD Hearings Request Rate 0.0% 1.3% 4.9% 4.1% 4.1% 4.1% 2.3% 1.9% 2022-2023 YTD Tickets Approved 55 173 283 374 444 490 526 548 Change (31) (98) (161) (226) (296) (342) (266) (229) The Bus Patrol program was on hold from January through Feburary as the law was being adjusted.
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How Does the Safety Program Work?
BusPatrol's safety program combines education with enforcement to effectively change motorist behavior over time and create a culture of awareness and responsibility around school buses.
In addition to stop-arm enforcement cameras, the Methacton School District bus fleet is now fully equipped with additional features to improve safety for students and drivers.
This includes:
- 360° safety cameras inside and outside the bus
- GPS tracking
- Emergency response solutions
This technology is all included as part of the program at zero cost to the school districts and taxpayers.
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When Should I Stop for a School Bus in Pennsylvania?
- Motorists MUST stop at least 10 feet away from school buses that have their red lights flashing and stop-arm activated.
- Motorists MUST stop when they are behind a bus, meeting the bus, or approaching an intersection where a bus is stopped.
- Motorists following or traveling alongside a school bus MUST also stop until the red lights have stopped flashing, the stop-arm is withdrawn, and all children have reached safety.
- If a physical barrier separates the roadways such as grassy medians, guide rails, or concrete median barriers separate oncoming traffic from the bus, motorists in the opposing lanes may proceed without stopping.
- Do not proceed until all the children have reached a place of safety.
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What Happens If You Illegally Pass a Stopped Methacton School Bus?
All school buses that transport Methacton students are equipped with safety technology, including stop-arm enforcement cameras. Cameras on the side of school buses help capture violation events and vehicle license plate numbers.
Violations are reviewed by law enforcement. Once approved, a notice of violation is sent to the registered vehicle owner by mail.
In Pennsylvania, a first-time stop-arm violation witnessed by a stop-arm enforcement camera carries a fine of $300 and no points.
In addition to the financial deterrent, violators learn about the potential dangers of their actions. Offenders can call the program's toll-free number (1-800-852-7741) and speak with a representative, who can review the video evidence and help them understand the dangers of illegally passing a school bus. Services are offered in both English and Spanish.
Data from other safety programs demonstrates that 98% of first-time offenders do not receive a second ticket, and 95% of drivers do not contest their ticket after seeing video evidence of their violation.
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Who Can I Contact for Assistance?
To speak to a representative about a stop-arm violation, contact the AlertBus Customer Contact Center toll-free support line at 1-800-852-7741.
- The Contact Center is available Monday- Friday (8am – 5pm)
- English, Spanish, and French-speaking customer service agents are available to address your inquiries
- Please have your Citation Number ready when you call
To view the violation video evidence online or to pay for a violation by credit card, visit www.alertbus.com and enter the following information:
- Your citation number (example: PA-777777)
- Your vehicle license plate number (no dashes or spaces)