A Point Marion mother says her two young children were dropped off at a bus stop this week with no one there to meet them, a scare that has shaken the small Fayette County borough and stirred up fresh concern about student transportation. Her account, recorded by a local TV station, has some parents openly questioning how drop-offs are handled in the area.
Mother's account and coverage
According to CBS News Pittsburgh, the mother said her two children were let off at a Point Marion stop with no adult there to pick them up. The station aired a short video interview with her but did not identify the children and did not include an official statement from the school district in that clip.
Who runs local routes
Point Marion is part of the Albert Gallatin Area School District, where bus schedules and contact details are posted on the district’s Albert Gallatin Area School District Transportation Services page. That page lists Student Transportation of America as the local bus-garage contact, the contractor responsible for many of the district’s daily routes.
Not an isolated problem
Transportation troubles have surfaced elsewhere in Fayette County as well. In a separate case, CBS News Pittsburgh reported that parents said a 5-year-old was left alone on a school bus for about 90 minutes before being found. Incidents like these have highlighted how quickly what seems like a routine mistake can turn dangerous, especially for very young or vulnerable students.
What parents can do
Parents who believe there was a problem with a drop-off are advised to contact their district’s transportation office as a first step. If they believe a child was put in danger, they may also report the situation to Pennsylvania’s ChildLine. The Commonwealth’s reporting page states that ChildLine is available 24/7 at 1-800-932-0313 and that mandated reporters are required to notify the state when they suspect child abuse or neglect. Additional information is available from the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services.
