Seating system for mass transit vehicle

A seat system for a mass transit vehicle configured to provide at least one seating position, comprising:

• a seat cushion configured to support at least one occupant;
• a seat back configured to support at least one occupant;
• one seat belt device for each seating position configured to provide restraint to an occupant;
• wherein each seat belt device includes a webbing, a buckle mechanism, a tongue mechanism configured to detachably couple to the buckle mechanism, and a first sensing mechanism configured to detect and output a first signal indicating whether the seat belt device is configured in one of a first unbuckled position and a second buckled position;
• an electronic control unit having at least one input connection, at least one output connection, a microprocessor configured to process data received through the at least one input connection, and a memory device configured to store the data processed by the microprocessor;
• wherein the electronic control unit is coupled to a vehicle voltage source;
• at least one communication device coupled to the electronic control unit and configured to communicate externally to the seat system;
• and
• a second sensing mechanism configured to determine whether the seat is configured in one of a first unoccupied position and a second occupied position;
• wherein the second sensing mechanism outputs a second signal representative of the one of the first unoccupied position and the second occupied position;
• wherein the microprocessor is configured to monitor the first and second signals;
• and
• wherein the memory device is configured to record the first and second signals.