Family warns about ‘dangerous’ bus stop on Route 65

NORTH SEWICKLEY TOWNSHIP, Pa. — A family with children in the Riverside Beaver County School District says a new, temporary bus stop is forcing kids to walk nearly ¾ of a mile along busy Route 65 with no sidewalks.

First Student moved the stop because of construction being done to repair a stretch of Route 65 that was washed out due to a landslide.

“The bus company just keeps telling me it’s about timing,” Jamie Davis tells Channel 11. “I made sure I mentioned safety should be first before anything.”

Davis says she doesn’t feel like First Student is taking her concerns seriously. She and other families who work cannot guarantee transportation for their kids to and from the bus stop every day.

“Sidewalks, we don’t have that here,” Davis added. “We’re in a rural area, so no sidewalks. There’s nothing safe about it. You’re in Charge of our children. If you can’t think safety first, you shouldn’t be in charge.”

She hopes the bus company can find a different solution before a child walking this stretch is hurt.

“Not dropping them a half mile from the house and hoping and praying they make it home,” Davis added.

The Riverside Beaver County School District sent Channel 11 the following statement:

“The safety of our students will always be our highest priority. We are aware that construction along Route 65 has created additional challenges, and we truly understand the stress and inconvenience this brings. Like many districts, we are experiencing a shortage of bus drivers, which limits our ability to add new routes. Please know that we are actively working to recruit and train new drivers to improve this situation. In the meantime, we remain flexible with arrival and pick-up times for families who choose to drive, and we appreciate the many families who work together to ensure students arrive safely at their bus stops. We sincerely appreciate the patience, cooperation, and understanding of our families as we continue to provide safe and reliable transportation for every student.” - Bret Trotta, Superintendent

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