HARRISBURG, Pa. (WHTM) — About $250,000 will be going towards multiple Pennsylvania schools and transportation companies, including some in our area.

The money will go towards training new bus drivers, including commercial driver’s license training, trainee wages and testing and permit fees.

The grants will be going toward costs and training fees for new drivers to get their CDLs or school bus endorsement:

Dauphin County – $31,250 is going towards 10 new drivers for Boyo Transportation Services.

Chester, Dauphin and York counties – $98,160 will be for 32 new drivers for Krapf School Bus.

Allegheny County – $17,256 going towards 12 new drivers for Chartiers Valley School District.

Centre and Clearfield counties – The $42,500 is for 25 new drivers for the Fullington Auto Bus Company.

Erie County – There is $8,160 will go towards eight new drivers for the North East School District.

Lawrence County – $1,000 is going towards Laurel School District to cover the costs of drivers getting their CDL with school bus endorsement.

Westmoreland County – $50,000 is going towards DMJ Transportation.

Pennsylvania drivers face problems with new license plates

The money is from the first-ever School Bus Safety grants. Some of the money comes from the $300 fine drivers have to pay when they violate Pennsylvania’s School Bus Stopping Law.

“Governor Shapiro has secured record investments in Pennsylvanians’ education and ensuring enough drivers to safely get our students to school is another way we’re focusing on our children’s futures,” PennDOT Secretary Mike Carroll said. “This funding and the new application round will help schools and communities make getting to school as safe and reliable as possible. We especially encourage transportation providers to consider and apply for these grants to help grow the number of bus drivers across the Commonwealth.”

Under the law, drivers must stop at least 10 feet from the bus when its red lights are flashing and the stop arm is activated. The only exception is when a school bus is on the other side of a divided highway that is separated by a physical barrier.

Close

Thanks for signing up!

Watch for us in your inbox.

Subscribe Now

The application period for funding begins March 2 and is open through April 30. Independent school bus contractors, school entities and municipalities are eligible to apply online.

Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC27.