Senate Bill 575 Summary

• Amends the Pupil Transportation Act to expand provisions regarding warning lights and stopping procedures to include public transit buses, in addition to school buses.

• Defines "public transit bus" as a bus operated by public transit agencies, metropolitan transportation authorities, nonprofits, or other entities incorporated under specified Michigan statutes that transports pupils to or from school.

• Allows both school buses and public transit buses to be equipped with flashing white lights on the roof (approximately 6 feet from rear) that may be activated during inclement weather, when passengers board or discharge, from half hour after sunset to half hour before sunrise, or when visibility is hindered.

• Establishes requirements for drivers of school buses and public transit buses to activate alternately flashing lights only when stopped to receive or discharge pupils, with specific procedures based on whether pupils must cross the roadway and the posted speed limit.

• Prohibits drivers from stopping buses to discharge or receive pupils on limited access highways, divided highways, or roadways with 3+ lanes if pupils must cross, and establishes visibility requirements based on speed limits (400 feet for speeds over 35 mph, 200 feet for speeds of 35 mph or less).