New York City Parents Push for Change as Albany Takes Center Stage in School Bus Battle
In a bid to address the city's notoriously dysfunctional school bus service, which disproportionately affects disabled students, parents are now turning their attention to Albany. The New York State Education Department has approved a three-year extension with major yellow bus companies, sparking outrage among advocates who claim the outdated contracts are at the root of the problem.
Panel members have expressed frustration over the need for a contract extension, saying it will buy them time to rewrite and rebid contracts that haven't seen meaningful updates in decades. However, many object to extending the old agreements by another three years, arguing it sends a message that the city's most vulnerable students are not prioritized.
The current contracts, first negotiated in 1979, contain a provision requiring unionized bus workers laid off by one company to be rehired at their existing wages by other companies. However, a state court ruling in 2011 found this provision can't be written into new contracts, leading city officials to seek an extension rather than negotiate new ones.
The issue has sparked controversy, with parents and advocates vowing to take action on the passage of a new state law that would enshrine existing labor protections for drivers. State lawmakers have introduced bills aimed at addressing this issue, but they remain stalled.
As the debate continues, city officials are promising a full-court press on the legislation, with Comptroller Brad Lander emphasizing the need for fundamentally different contracting practices that prioritize both workers' and students' needs.
Major yellow bus companies have also expressed their willingness to work with parents and the city to improve services. However, some panel members remain unconvinced, arguing that the extension sends a concerning message about the value placed on disabled students' safety and well-being.
With Albany now firmly in the picture, parents are taking matters into their own hands, pushing for change that will address the systemic issues plaguing New York City's school bus system.
In a bid to address the city's notoriously dysfunctional school bus service, which disproportionately affects disabled students, parents are now turning their attention to Albany. The New York State Education Department has approved a three-year extension with major yellow bus companies, sparking outrage among advocates who claim the outdated contracts are at the root of the problem.
Panel members have expressed frustration over the need for a contract extension, saying it will buy them time to rewrite and rebid contracts that haven't seen meaningful updates in decades. However, many object to extending the old agreements by another three years, arguing it sends a message that the city's most vulnerable students are not prioritized.
The current contracts, first negotiated in 1979, contain a provision requiring unionized bus workers laid off by one company to be rehired at their existing wages by other companies. However, a state court ruling in 2011 found this provision can't be written into new contracts, leading city officials to seek an extension rather than negotiate new ones.
The issue has sparked controversy, with parents and advocates vowing to take action on the passage of a new state law that would enshrine existing labor protections for drivers. State lawmakers have introduced bills aimed at addressing this issue, but they remain stalled.
As the debate continues, city officials are promising a full-court press on the legislation, with Comptroller Brad Lander emphasizing the need for fundamentally different contracting practices that prioritize both workers' and students' needs.
Major yellow bus companies have also expressed their willingness to work with parents and the city to improve services. However, some panel members remain unconvinced, arguing that the extension sends a concerning message about the value placed on disabled students' safety and well-being.
With Albany now firmly in the picture, parents are taking matters into their own hands, pushing for change that will address the systemic issues plaguing New York City's school bus system.
. I mean, can you believe our city is still using contracts from 1979?! It's crazy! As a student, I know how hard it can be to get around the city without a reliable school bus service. Like, what if there's an accident or something? 
My friends and I are lucky because we have parents who care, but what about all the kids who don't have that kind of support? It's like the system is just ignoring them.
I know some people are saying it's complicated, but come on! Our kids' lives are worth it too! We need to make sure that every student has access to safe and reliable transportation, regardless of their abilities.
I feel so bad for those kids who have to deal with this school bus situation. It's like they're being left behind 
. I mean, 1979 was ages ago! Can't we just rewrite these contracts already? 
The fact that it's taking a state law to address the issue is just ridiculous 
. And what really gets my goat is that some people are still willing to settle for an extension because of the 'laid-off workers' provision 
. It's like, come on folks! Can't we prioritize those kids' safety and well-being over some outdated union rules? 
Can't they see how much it affects disabled students? It's not just about the workers' wages, it's about giving our kids the best possible education and transportation. The extension is basically saying "not now" to making things right. I'm all for Comptroller Brad Lander pushing for new contracting practices that prioritize both workers AND students 
. They're not just passengers on a bus, they're students who deserve equal treatment and access to quality education.
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. The fact that we can't even get an updated contract without an extension is crazy 
. I'm loving how parents are taking matters into their own hands and pushing back against the system 
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Need to modernize school buses ASAP, outdated contracts are killing it for disabled students 
. Give me a new law & better contracts or just give them all a new set of wheels 
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. Maybe we can work together with major yellow bus companies to find some common ground and improve services without breaking everything up in the process 
. And yeah, let's not forget about those existing labor protections for drivers... that's a great starting point! 
. And I'm all for that 
. Can't we just... find that sweet spot in the middle and make it work? 