Pittsburgh Public Schools has released its 2025-26 school bus safety report card, revealing an 8% year-over-year decline in drivers illegally passing stopped school buses across the district. Officer Toi Kenny of the Pittsburgh Public Schools Police Department highlighted the risks of such violations. “When a driver passes a stopped school bus, they are putting children at risk in matters of seconds. Students may be crossing the street, stepping off the bus, or moving into a driver’s blind spot, and it only takes one poor decision for a life-changing tragedy,” Kenny said. In 2023, Pittsburgh Public Schools partnered with BusPatrol to equip its fleet of school buses with AI-powered technology that identifies drivers who illegally pass stopped buses while children are boarding or exiting. School officials emphasized that the program prioritizes student safety over issuing citations. “The purpose of the bus patrol program is not to issue citations; the purpose is to change behavior. Every violation captured represents a moment where a child could be at risk,” said Michael McNamara, chief operations officer for Pittsburgh Public Schools. Between August 2025 and June 2026, the district’s fleet of 243 school buses recorded 10,328 stop-arm violations, averaging 0.39 violations per bus per day. Officials reported that only 5.9% of violations were committed by repeat offenders. Rick Birt, vice president of government operations and safety at BusPatrol, addressed the issue. “They make the selfish choice to put our kids at risk, and our children deserve better. At BusPatrol, we have one mission, to empower communities through a combination of education and enforcement to do just that,” Birt said. The report also identified trends, noting that 42% of illegal passings occurred on Wednesdays and Thursdays. Additionally, 43% of tickets were issued during morning routes, while 57% happened in the afternoons. Drivers who receive violations captured through the school bus safety camera program face a minimum fine of $300.Download the WTAE app to stay connected with breaking news. Sign up for our email newsletters to get breaking news in your inbox.

PITTSBURGH —

Pittsburgh Public Schools has released its 2025-26 school bus safety report card, revealing an 8% year-over-year decline in drivers illegally passing stopped school buses across the district.

Officer Toi Kenny of the Pittsburgh Public Schools Police Department highlighted the risks of such violations.

“When a driver passes a stopped school bus, they are putting children at risk in matters of seconds. Students may be crossing the street, stepping off the bus, or moving into a driver’s blind spot, and it only takes one poor decision for a life-changing tragedy,” Kenny said.

In 2023, Pittsburgh Public Schools partnered with BusPatrol to equip its fleet of school buses with AI-powered technology that identifies drivers who illegally pass stopped buses while children are boarding or exiting.

School officials emphasized that the program prioritizes student safety over issuing citations.

“The purpose of the bus patrol program is not to issue citations; the purpose is to change behavior. Every violation captured represents a moment where a child could be at risk,” said Michael McNamara, chief operations officer for Pittsburgh Public Schools.

Between August 2025 and June 2026, the district’s fleet of 243 school buses recorded 10,328 stop-arm violations, averaging 0.39 violations per bus per day. Officials reported that only 5.9% of violations were committed by repeat offenders.

Rick Birt, vice president of government operations and safety at BusPatrol, addressed the issue.

“They make the selfish choice to put our kids at risk, and our children deserve better. At BusPatrol, we have one mission, to empower communities through a combination of education and enforcement to do just that,” Birt said.

The report also identified trends, noting that 42% of illegal passings occurred on Wednesdays and Thursdays. Additionally, 43% of tickets were issued during morning routes, while 57% happened in the afternoons.

Drivers who receive violations captured through the school bus safety camera program face a minimum fine of $300.

Download the WTAE app to stay connected with breaking news. Sign up for our email newsletters to get breaking news in your inbox.