A seat system for a mass transit vehicle configured to provide at least one seating position, which includes 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, which includes a first sensing mechanism to detect and output a first signal indicating whether the seat belt device is configured in one of two positions, a first unbuckled position and a second buckled position; an electronic control unit, coupled to a vehicle voltage source, having at least one input connection, at least one output connection, a microprocessor to process data received through any input connection, and a memory device to store data processed by the microprocessor; at least one communication means coupled to the electronic control unit for communicating externally to the seat system; and a second sensing mechanism to determine whether the seat is configured in one of two positions, a first unoccupied position and a second occupied position.