Duncannon, PA – As students head back to school across the Commonwealth, Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) Acting Secretary Dr. Carrie Rowe and the Pennsylvania School Bus Association visited Duncannon to tour the Rohrer Bus facility, remind drivers of the importance of school bus safety, and highlight the critical role bus drivers play across the Commonwealth and in their communities.
“Safe transportation is a critical part of ensuring equitable access to education for students in Pennsylvania,” said Acting Secretary of Education Dr. Carrie Rowe. “PDE will continue working with partners to identify policies and regulations that no longer meet today’s needs, while urging motorists to do their part by stopping for school buses.”
According to the PA School Bus Association, the school bus driver hiring process takes approximately 10 to 12 weeks between the initial inquiry and receiving a CDL license. Applicants go through a process consisting of both classroom and in-bus training, as well as clearances, a knowledge test, driver skills test, and more.
“The PA School Bus Association prides itself on being the start and end of students’ daily education. With school back in full swing, we remind drivers to be patient and aware of students entering and exiting school vehicles,” said Gerry Wosewick, Executive Director of the PA School Bus Association. “We greatly appreciate Dr. Rowe’s leadership in recognizing the critical importance of the school bus in ensuring the education of the future leaders of our Commonwealth. It is our hope that, through our continuing partnership, we will be able to address the ongoing driver shortage. We are confident that, alongside the PA Department of Education, we can continue to educate prospective drivers about the rewarding and vital role of being a school bus driver.”
As schools return, school bus safety is a high priority in Pennsylvania. Motorists play an important part in keeping kids and school transportation personnel safe, and Pennsylvania’s School Bus Stopping Law provides good reminders for drivers, including:
- 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or traveling alongside a school bus must also stop until the red lights have stopped flashing, the stop arm is withdrawn, and all children have reached safety.
Other important school bus safety information can be found on the Commonwealth’s School Bus Safety webpage.
School bus drivers play a critical role in the safety and well-being of students, but shortages in transportation personnel can disrupt students from getting the education they deserve. The PA School Bus Association has remained committed to recruiting and training bus drivers, holding and collaborating on recruitment and hiring events throughout the Commonwealth. Anyone interested in becoming a bus driver can check out the School Bus Hero website for information on full and part time jobs, training, and more.
The Pennsylvania School Bus Association consists of over 250 school transportation contractors and industry partners, united to serve as a voice for school transportation safety and the school transportation contracting industry. Their mission is to develop and provide programs, resources, and training that promote the highest standards of safety in student transportation.
Governor Josh Shapiro has made education a priority of his administration since his first day in office. Since taking office, the Shapiro Administration has secured more than $2 billion in additional K-12 education funding. His 2025-26 budget proposal continues to build on the foundation the administration has laid over the past few years, including a $75 million increase for public K-12 schools and an additional $526 million to drive dollars out to the schools and students that need them most. Investing in Pennsylvania’s learners is an investment in the future of Pennsylvania, and ensuring students arrive at school safely and ready to learn is a top priority of the Pennsylvania Department of Education. Individuals interested in becoming a school bus driver can visit the Commonwealth's Become a School Bus Driver webpage or the School Bus Hero website to learn more.