"NYC Parents Demand Change as School Bus Service Extension Gets Green Light"
In a move that's left many parents feeling frustrated and disenfranchised, the city's education panel has voted to extend its school bus service contract with major private bus companies for three more years. The decision may seem like a victory for the industry, but advocates say it's a temporary reprieve at best.
Under the old contracts, which were first negotiated in 1979, labor protections for drivers have been stripped away, leaving them vulnerable to exploitation and layoffs. In 2011, a state court ruled that such provisions can't be written into new contracts, setting off a chain of strikes by bus workers who've lost their jobs.
As the system continues to break down, parents are at a loss. The city's flawed data on school bus delays doesn't fully capture how many buses aren't showing up on time or at all – affecting disabled students the most. Parents and advocates say that extending the old contracts is sending the wrong message: that their children's safety and well-being are negotiable.
But not everyone agrees. Representatives from major bus companies, like Total Transportation, have committed to working with parents and the city to improve the service. Krista McAndrew, deputy general counsel for the company, acknowledged the need for change but emphasized the importance of partnership rather than paperwork.
While some see this as a step towards progress, others are skeptical. "This is about the message we send," said panel member Faraji Hannah-Jones. "What does this system tell our most vulnerable students? It tells them that their time is not valuable, that their safety is negotiable."
The city's schools chancellor has acknowledged the concerns of families and advocates who oppose the long-term deal. "Parents, stakeholders, and communities around New York City made it clear that this term was unacceptable," she said.
Now, with lawmakers introducing bills to enshrine labor protections for drivers, officials are vowing to make a full-court press on the legislation. But can they really fix the system? Only time will tell if this extension is a step towards real change or just kicking the can down the road.
In a move that's left many parents feeling frustrated and disenfranchised, the city's education panel has voted to extend its school bus service contract with major private bus companies for three more years. The decision may seem like a victory for the industry, but advocates say it's a temporary reprieve at best.
Under the old contracts, which were first negotiated in 1979, labor protections for drivers have been stripped away, leaving them vulnerable to exploitation and layoffs. In 2011, a state court ruled that such provisions can't be written into new contracts, setting off a chain of strikes by bus workers who've lost their jobs.
As the system continues to break down, parents are at a loss. The city's flawed data on school bus delays doesn't fully capture how many buses aren't showing up on time or at all – affecting disabled students the most. Parents and advocates say that extending the old contracts is sending the wrong message: that their children's safety and well-being are negotiable.
But not everyone agrees. Representatives from major bus companies, like Total Transportation, have committed to working with parents and the city to improve the service. Krista McAndrew, deputy general counsel for the company, acknowledged the need for change but emphasized the importance of partnership rather than paperwork.
While some see this as a step towards progress, others are skeptical. "This is about the message we send," said panel member Faraji Hannah-Jones. "What does this system tell our most vulnerable students? It tells them that their time is not valuable, that their safety is negotiable."
The city's schools chancellor has acknowledged the concerns of families and advocates who oppose the long-term deal. "Parents, stakeholders, and communities around New York City made it clear that this term was unacceptable," she said.
Now, with lawmakers introducing bills to enshrine labor protections for drivers, officials are vowing to make a full-court press on the legislation. But can they really fix the system? Only time will tell if this extension is a step towards real change or just kicking the can down the road.
the whole thing feels like another example of the city prioritizing profits over people... i mean, those bus drivers are basically working-class heroes on wheels 
and they're still getting exploited for cheap labor 
it's time to prioritize their safety & well-being too 
not just because they're vulnerable but also because it affects parents who can't get them where they need to be on time 
what's the point of having school buses if they're just gonna leave kids stranded all over the city 
and honestly, i'm not buying the whole 'partnership' thing from those bus companies either 
, I mean... so unfair 
. Parents are like 
, totally frustrated 
. Their kids are counting on buses to get to school safely 
, they're like 
, stuck in contracts that don't protect them. 
. They need 
, not like 
, for our kids' sake 
.
The city's education panel is more concerned about making friends with the bus companies than actually fixing the problem. I mean, come on, folks! 
We've been saying this for years: our kids' safety and well-being aren't up for negotiation. They're the ones who are getting hurt because of these broken contracts. It's like they think a fancy partnership with Total Transportation is gonna magically fix everything? 
. Extending the old contracts without making any changes to protect those bus drivers is just a band-aid solution at best 
. And what really gets me is that they're not even taking into account the disabled students who are most affected by this 
.
. This is exactly what happens when you let corporate interests take over. They'll stop at nothing to get their hands on more money and less accountability. It's like they think our kids are just an afterthought or something. And don't even get me started on the so-called "partnership" between the bus companies and the city... sounds like a load of BS 
.
. We need real solutions, not just temporary fixes. Those labor protections should be a no-brainer, and it's wild that they had to fight so hard for 'em in 2011 
how can you extend a contract that's already proven to be super exploitative for drivers and still expect parents to trust the system? it's like they're sending mixed signals like "we care about kids" but really it's all about lining the pockets of these private bus companies. I feel so bad for those parents who are already struggling to get their kids to school on time, only to have another 3 years of uncertainty and potential exploitation 
I'm so done with these school bus contracts 
. Extending them for three more years is like, what even is that? Don't they know how many parents are already stressing out about their kids getting to and from school on time? 
. i mean, we know the system is broken and its been that way for ages. but i guess its a good thing some reps are speaking up now. like, total transportation thinks they can just "partner" with us without actually doing anything? 
come on. and yeah, the city's data on school bus delays is straight trash. disabled students should be at the top of our priority list, not afterthoughts.
. The city needs to do better than just "partnering" with the companies 
. Let's hope that lawmakers finally listen and pass those bills 
. I mean, we all know those bus drivers are struggling for basic protections and decent working conditions... and now they're just gonna get shafted again? No way, Jose! 
.