Every day, bus drivers take children to school, but now before getting keys to the bus, school bus drivers are being asked to clear several hurdles and will soon face FBI background checks.

According to the FBI, the mode of transportation could become the target of terrorism.

"Naturally, they carry our most precious cargo, so naturally, they are a big consideration and what would cause more mass hysteria than someone taking over a school bus?" said Plum Transport Supervisor Tom Zeminski.

Plum Borough said they want to avoid this nightmare scenario, so each of their drivers is armed with a manual.

"With this new school bus watch program, they are looking for things that are out of the ordinary, something that just does not look right," said Zeminski. "They are supposed to report that back to my office, and then I go to the local authorities."

That program is for current drivers, but the FBI said the real threat comes from the newest drivers.

That's why the FBI is requiring new applicants to get background checks.

"There is a $40 price tag to it, but the big concern is the 90-day waiting period," said Zeminski. "Once the applicant is finger printed, the background check takes about 90 days."

Zeminski said that is in addition to a two-month certification process.

"We employ part-time employees, average four to five hours a day and then we are putting more and more of a burden on them by asking them to get this background check, although, I am not in total disagreement with the background check," said Zeminski.

The FBI screening program for bus driver applicants will begin on April 1.

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