Loud Horns, Facebook Videos Used To Alleviate Tyler Street Bus Problem

Jennifer Colvin of Pittsfield just wants traffic to recognize the bus that picks up and drops off her child in front of her Tyler Street home. And by recognize, she means stop when the bus is loading and unloading.

For the past month or so, I've noticed frequent posts to Colvin's Facebook page showing video footage of a transportation van that reads "Pittsfield Public Schools" on the side, and "School Bus" on the front and back - the problem is, the van is white and doesn't have a extended red and white stop sign with flashing lights like a standard size yellow bus.

In my opinion, due to the fact that the bus, despite the flashing lights, doesn't appear to be a "school bus", cars and trucks aren't stopping - and Colvin has been trying to bring attention to this problem by posting videos to Facebook. The driver of the van has been blasting the horn as well trying to bring attention to the fact that the vehicles aren't stopping.

This has caused a lot of back and forth in the comments section on her social media posts with some accusing Colvin of just trying to shame drivers for their lack of awareness. She claims she simply wants to make people aware of the law which states you have to stop, and it does say that.

Yes, you must stop for a white school bus or school pupil transport vehicle in Massachusetts if it is displaying flashing red lights and an extended stop sign. The law applies to any vehicle—regardless of its color—as long as it is officially transporting students and actively using its safety signals.

I spoke with Mayor Marchetti, who Colvin said is aware of the situation, via text today and he said, "I share Jennifer's concerns and am working to ensure all of our children are safe".

The following is from Colvin's Facebook page today: