Pupil Transportation
Services
The
State Education Department has oversight responsibility for school district
provision of pupil transportation services to resident pupils attending public
and nonpublic schools. Approximately 2.3 million pupils, or ten percent of
the nation’s pupils, ride our 50,000 school buses each day. The 2008-09 statewide
cost of services is approximately $2.8 billion with state aid of $1.5 billion.
The Department processes 7,000 to 10,000 contracts and extensions annually
for the delivery of services by private contractors. District owned school
buses provide approximately half of all services and private school bus contractors
provide the other half.
The Department also has jurisdiction over the qualifications for hiring school
bus drivers, monitors and attendants. It has established in regulation specific
safety training requirements which help insure safe transportation for all pupils.
The Department administers the School Bus Driver Safety Training Program which
uses 1,000 School Bus Driver Instructors to provide school bus drivers, monitors
and attendants with a comprehensive introduction to safety training and annual
refresher training.
News & Notes
The May, 2009 regional consumer price index for the NY., NY-Northeastern NJ area, based upon the index for the All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) during the preceding 12 month period was: negative .1 % (.001). For purposes of extending your pupil transportation contracts (not for cafeteria and restaurant services or mobile instructional units) the Commissioner will not reject any extension on the basis that the contract has a zero price increase.
08/07/09 - 2010 – 15th NCST – National Congress On School Transportation, NYS Delegation Members
07/01/09 - Effective July 1, 2009 the following forms must be mailed to the SED instead of PTSI and Safety Rules: MV 104f, School Bus Driver Notices of Program Offering & Completion, School Bus Monitor & Attendant Notices of Program Offering & Completion. In addition all requests for duplicate or lost certificate for drivers, monitors and attendants should be made to the SED Address for mailing forms/requests: New York State Education Department, Office of Educational Management Services, Room 876 EBA, 89 Washington Avenue, Albany, NY 12234 Attn: James Dundon.
03/03/09 - Eligibility distances for schools under a contingency budget.
03/03/09 - Requirements for Student School Bus Safety Drills. School districts are required to conduct training and three (3) safety drills for all students at prescribed times during each school year. The superintendent certifies to SED that the instruction and drills have been conducted for all pupils.
03/03/09 - Transportation on Optional Holidays
08/27/08 - Reducing School Bus Idling - Requirements and Notice Materials for School Districts