Verra Mobility Partners with Onondaga County to Enhance School Bus Safety

In a significant move aimed at safeguarding students during their commutes, Verra Mobility Corporation (NASDAQ: VRRM), a prominent provider of smart mobility technology solutions, announced a partnership with Onondaga County, New York. The collaboration will implement an advanced school bus stop arm safety program, marking one of the most comprehensive initiatives of its kind in the state.

The ambitious program will kick off with the installation of state-of-the-art stop arm safety camera technology on over 500 school buses. This technology is designed to capture and document vehicles that illegally pass stopped school buses, thereby providing critical evidence for law enforcement to enforce traffic laws effectively.

New York State Assemblyman William Magnarelli highlighted the urgency of this initiative, stating, “Too often, drivers disregard laws that are intended to protect children while they are boarding and exiting school buses.” He referenced a concerning study that found that motorists pass stopped school buses more than five times daily, on average, per bus.

The initial phase of the program will involve six school districts, encompassing more than 20,000 students and over 40 schools. The districts participating in the program include:

Onondaga County Executive J. Ryan McMahon, II expressed enthusiasm for the partnership, stating, “This initiative will hold drivers accountable for illegally passing stopped school buses, helping to protect our children and make our roadways safer.”

The program will also incorporate advanced artificial intelligence (AI) integration and a comprehensive public education campaign to raise awareness about the dangers of illegally passing stopped school buses. The technology is designed to enhance camera performance, even under the challenging weather conditions typical of the Syracuse area.

Belinda Olivares, general manager of Verra Mobility's Bus Safety Division, emphasized the program's broader goals: “Our stop arm safety technology has consistently demonstrated its ability to reduce dangerous traffic violations. In Onondaga County, we're not just implementing a technology solution – we're creating a comprehensive safety ecosystem that protects our most vulnerable road users.”

Importantly, the program will incur no up-front cost to Onondaga County or the participating school districts. Funding will be derived from the citations issued for illegal passing of stopped school buses, with any remaining funds retained by the county.

In New York, fines for passing a stopped school bus start at $250, escalating with subsequent violations. When a violation is captured, an event package complete with video evidence will be verified and sent to the vehicle owner after approval from the Onondaga County Sheriff's Office.

Superintendents from participating school districts have voiced strong support for the initiative, recognizing its potential to enhance student safety:

The implementation of this innovative school bus safety program is slated for the 2025/2026 school year, with an extensive public awareness campaign set to launch 30 days prior to citations being issued. The initiative aims not only to enforce traffic laws but also to foster a culture of safety and accountability within the community.

Verra Mobility Corporation is a leading provider of smart mobility technology solutions, focused on making transportation safer, smarter, and more connected. The company is dedicated to enhancing urban mobility and supporting healthier communities through innovative safety systems and parking management solutions.

For more information, visit www.verramobility.com.

The partnership between Verra Mobility and Onondaga County represents a proactive step towards improving student safety in New York. By leveraging advanced technology and community engagement, this initiative aims to reduce traffic violations and protect the youngest members of the community as they travel to and from school.