Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How does contracting with Alpha Media bring revenue to my school district?
A: Alpha Media specializes in partnering with school districts to sell ad space on their fleet of buses, as well as any other advertising the district would like us to sell (i.e. sports field naming rights, scoreboards, etc.). Alpha Media returns a percentage of monthly revenue to the participating school district.

Q: Do participating school districts incur any liability?
A: No, our insurance policy covers this entire venture should anything happen. The district will be named as an additional insured with limits set forth by the district.

Q: What responsibility does the school district incur? Does it cost the school district anything to be a part of this program?
A: No, school bus advertising requires no effort, risk, or cost to the district. Alpha Media’s responsibilities include: obtaining local and national advertisers, creating and producing the ads, installing and removing the ads. We bill advertisers and send the school district a check for their portion of the advertising. This process takes advantage of a capital investment the district has already made. While the buses are transporting students, they are earning money for districts that chose to participate.

Q: Do school bus ads cause safety issues?
A: School bus ads do not compromise the safety of the bus nor prevent it or its safety devices from being seen and recognized. For several years, ads have been placed on school buses in several states. There is no evidence indicating that these ads have contributed to a situation that has jeopardized the safety of the passengers onboard. There have been no reported accidents as a result of an advertisement on the side of a bus. At Alpha Media, we never forget the passengers on these buses; we hold their safety as a paramount concern.

Q: Who installs the ads?
A: Alpha Media takes care of the installation and removal of the ads. Our installers are committed to making the installation process seamless for the district. The ads are installed with the utmost care, providing a good presentation for our advertisers and ensuring that ads are safely affixed to the buses. Our staff works within the district’s transportation schedule. The ads will be installed/removed at a time convenient to the district and its employees. Our installers have over twenty years experience installing vinyl graphics on many surfaces.

Q: Are these signs safe?
A: The ads are made of durable adhesive-back vinyl that adheres to the buses similar to a bumper sticker. Our ads are printed on Control-Tac vinyl and Busmark vinyl that is both weather and fade resistant. The adhesive-backing will not damage the bus surface. To ensure the quality of the ads placed on buses, our installers cut a thin line on the vinyl on both sides of each black bar the ad is placed over. This allows the vinyl to be attached flush to the bus, preventing air and moisture from getting underneath the sign.

We take these additional precautions to help ensure that these signs are 100% safe and provide top quality advertising to our customers. These ads do not come off during routine driving or cleaning. A special process is used to remove the signs that will not harm the bus surface. Alpha Media can provide ad samples upon request. These ads target potential consumers outside of the bus, not the students onboard. Safety is our top priority. Our insurance policy covers the district should anything happen, and to date – we have never had a claim. Insurance limits are established by the district. Alpha Media will comply with their request. Each district is named as an additional insured on our policy.

Q: Are there any restrictions on the types of ads that can run?
A: Yes, but that decision is left to the participating school district. We ask that each district determine their criteria for ad placement. Alpha Media works within that criteria. Texas law prohibits ads for tobacco, alcohol, political advocacy, gambling, anything sexual in nature and religious organizations. Ultimately, each district has the final approval of ads placed on their buses. The creative staff at Alpha Media will ensure that all ads comply with state law regarding size and placement.

Q: What are the options for ad sizes and placement?
A: To address this question, we have listed the criteria other states have adopted. Texas law states that school bus advertising is allowed on the following areas of the buses:

(1) the left rear quarter-panel of the school bus, beginning at least three inches behind the rear wheel and not closer than four inches from the lower edge of the window line; and
(2) above the windows on the right and left sides of the school bus, near the rear of the vehicle, not to extend forward of the rear axle. The ad on the left side below the windows can be a maximum of 30 inches by 90 inches. The ads above the windows on the right and left sides of the bus above the windows can be a maximum of 18 inches by 108 inches.

*For information school bus advertising laws in other states, contact us at 832-644-8850.

Q: Why would a business want to advertise on a school bus?
A: School bus advertising is the most economical form of advertising available today. School bus advertising provides an effective and affordable way to market to a very select audience. School bus advertising with Alpha Media provides a multitude of benefits to its clients. Below are a select few:

➢ Affordable – School bus advertising provides a CPM rate of around 34¢ which is much cheaper than almost all other forms of advertising including television, radio, newspaper, and even billboards. The CPM rate is the average cost per thousand impressions. Each ad will receive over 30,000 impressions per day.
➢ Unique – School bus ads will grab the attention of business’ target audiences each and every day. School bus ads are hard to miss and will stick out in the minds of the viewers.
➢ Consistent – These ads travel the same routes and are seen 6-8 hours per day, week after week
➢ Mobile – Ads will travel nearly 400 miles in and around town every week. These ads can also travel to areas where billboards and other forms of advertising cannot.
➢ Goodwill – A percentage of every business’ advertising dollar will be given to the local schools. Advertisers can give back to the local community and receive very unique mobile advertising at the same time.


CPM rates measure the cost per thousand impressions. School bus advertising offers a much better value per advertising dollar than all others.

Q: Who would be the typical client?
A: Any local or national company that wants to promote its business and strengthen its image while helping to fund local public schools will be considered. Ads must be appropriate for a school setting, as well as child and community sensitive.

Q: Does Alpha Media offer graphic design services to clients?
A: Yes, our graphic design team can provide assistance to any approved advertiser. Alpha Media’s graphic design team has over ten years experience. We work closely with customers to produce the best looking ads to promote their organization.

Q: How much does it cost?
A: Prices depend on the size of the ad, quantity of ads purchased, and the length of the commitment. Advertising rates can also vary by geographic region.