The Big Apple of Pupil Transportation's Eye

Security and clean air remain high priorities for New York City school buses

By Julie Metea,
Special to School Transportation News

On the eve of the fourth anniversary of the World Trade Center attacks, New York City begins its new academic year with a heightened sense of urgency. As 1.1 million students make their way to school, a network of protective citizens play a critical role in getting them there safely.

The city confirmed after the recent London subway and double-decker bus bombings that public transportation remains a preferred terrorist target. While New Yorkers go about their busy lives, police and city transportation officials have added alerts to this year's routine.

During interviews with these officials, the short responses and requests to avoid questions about transportation security signal something is different. "We can only say that we're working closely with police," said Marty Oestreicher, chief executive, Office of School Support Services.

Managing the Masses

Two agencies are responsible for school transportation, The New York City Office of Pupil Transportation (OPT) and the New York City Department of Transportation (DOT).

It has become a routine way of life for students to head to school through the dense network of streets via a combination of yellow buses, city buses, subways, and their own two feet.

During the regular academic year, OPT mobilizes 172,000 students daily on 6,100 buses to both public and private schools. However, the seats are reserved for special education and eligible students in grades K through 6 only.

Other students must walk or take the city's public transportation - buses and subways. Depending on the school distance and circumstances, students can take public transportation at a reduced cost or free through the DOT.

The DOT also is responsible for transporting 20,000 pre-K students (including special education) on approximately 800 transit buses that service New York 's five boroughs and surrounding Westchester and Nassau counties. According to OPT, students in grades 7 through 12 that live more than 1.5 miles from school qualify for free transportation, while students who live closer than 1.5 miles pay half fare, or $1.

MetroCards are paid for as part of a three way agreement with the Metropolitan Transit Authority, state and city entered a three-way agreement to pay for the MetroCards. The city pays $45 million each year to fund fares for all students.

While the two agencies operate separate systems, employees from both groups coordinate joint student safety programs and some transportation logistics. However, vocal critics believe the agencies need better standards and synergy.

"It doesn't make sense to be under two jurisdictions, even though they're doing the same jobs," said City Councilman John Liu. As chairperson of the council's transportation committee, he demands more accountability from the city's transportation departments and has launched public hearings, including a series to improve special needs transportation.

The call to action came in February 2005 after two fires ignited on unoccupied vendor school buses used to transport special needs students. Although no one was injured, vocal parents joined Liu in questioning bus safety and inspection standards.

"We need to take action against incidents that put our kids in harm," said Liu, who said he plans to continue the public hearings this fall. "We have comprehensive systems of providing school buses for kids who need it. But being a large city, I'd like to see more efficiencies."

Improving Systems

According to Oestreicher and OPT Director Richie Scarpa, the department is implementing a number of improvements this year, including a computerized routing system, some GPS installations, increased air conditioning conversions and vendor contract agreements.

The OPT operates with a $700 million budget and manages a relatively small department of 100 employees. The majority of the operation is contracted through a vast network of suppliers and vendors.

The department recently extended 53 contracts with the 70 transportation vendors that provide the district with 4,000 large buses, 2,000 coaches, drivers and escorts. "We have high standards for hiring vendors. They need to pass our background checks, training, safety standards and provide proper first aide equipment," said Oestreicher.

Vendors also need to comply with new initiatives, including a pilot program to reduce diesel emissions. "We have high rates of asthma in some parts of the city. We want to be sensitive and proactive," said Scarpa.

With help from the New York Power Authority and the New York Energy Research and Development Authority, the department obtained $7 million in grant funding last year to lower school bus emissions.

OPT mandated the use of cleaner burning ultra low sulfur diesel for more than half of the contracted school buses. The rest of the fleet will be required to use the fuel by September 2006. During the same time frame, OPT will enforce the installation of emission reduction technology in 1,720 vehicles. So far, 660 buses have been equipped with diesel oxidation catalysts.

The efforts should address criticism from vocal activists. "Pollution is a bigger issue than crime in school buses," said middle school teacher Ron Isaac, who writes an online column for educationnews.org. "We need to clean up the air."

Separately, the city's Department of Transportation manages a $67 million budget and has a 26-member staff to operate and administer pre-K transportation. It adheres to training and safety requirements set by education oversight groups and will adopt future OPT curriculums, according to the DOT Public Relations Representative Kay Sarlin.

"We work well with schools, parents and contractors - getting them to work together and resolve issues. We ensure students are safe and on time from home to school and back home," said Sarlin. "We are also holding our vendors accountable in the field and in their offices."

Opening Channels for Pupil Transportation

The OPT also maintains open channels of communication with vocal parents through a customer service center. Operators are available seven days a week to answer questions and concerns about school transportation, and the unit logs more than 200,000 calls a year.

"We recognized a long time ago that we needed to automate our information. Our systems can provide information to operators who answer questions," said Scarpa.

Most of the OPT employees pitch in at peak times, and as many as 60 people are seated in the center to answer calls. With computers, operators have access to a child's route, the vendor operating the bus and the vehicle's location.

The public also obtains comprehensive information from the OPT website, www.opt-osfns.org , which was recognized by School Transportation News last year as a "wealth of well-packaged information."

Safety Campaigns

Since many families are not eligible for school bus transportation, the Departments of Transportation and Education need to provide programs to help students understand how to get to school safely.

The "Walk to School" project teaches children to be alert and follow pedestrian rules. Part of the $1.9 million funded project helps improve paths by widening sidewalks and adding street medians.

In June, the DOE and DOT launched a week-long pilot curriculum for select schools to introduce students to traffic issues and concepts. Students also learn how to use maps and watch performances by the "Apple Corps," a traffic safety theater group.

"Our traffic safety maps will help our children safely navigate New York City 's streets," said DOT Commissioner Iris Weinshall.

In typical New York City style, most efforts to mobilize students have a high profile with an emphasis on utilizing the school bus as much as possible. "We're big. You see us everywhere," said Scarpa. "Just watch any movie with New York as the backdrop. You'll likely to see a yellow bus go by."