Citations For Passing School Buses Begin In Methacton In September

WORCESTER, PA — Violators who ignore stopped school buses picking up and dropping off students in the Methacton School District are warned that they may soon face hefty fines.

Methacton School District officials announced that enforcement of the new school bus stop-arm camera safety program will begin on Sept. 6, and that drivers who are caught going around stopped buses can face citations.

"All Methacton School District school buses have ACTIVE safety technology cameras, including AI-enabled stop-arm enforcement cameras," the district posted in a message. "The safety technology is designed to capture school bus violation events and vehicle license plate numbers."

First-time violators of the law can be fined $300, and all violations are confirmed by local law enforcement before citations are issued.

Methacton serves students who reside in both Lower Providence Township and neighboring Worcester Township, so buses pick up and drop off students from both of those communities.

Lower Providence has its own police force while Worcester is covered by Pennsylvania State Police.

The Methacton School District had announced in November of last year that it had partnered with BusPatrol and the bus company First Student to launch the stop-arm camera program.

The district said its fleet of about 100 buses would now be equipped with cameras on the stop-arms to catch violators who try and evade stopped school buses.

Patch previously reported on the program.

Related: Methacton School Buses Now Equipped With Stop-Arm Cameras

More information about the camera program can found here.

The district said that the camera program was provided at zero cost to the taxpayers since it is funded by fines generated by violations.