Route action steps
The basic steps for getting attention to a route problem are at https://www.pistnyc.org/resources/bus-problems
Please do any of these other actions that you can, to help not only your own school bus rider but others as well!
1) Complete and share the District 75 president’s council forms below. Questions: D75PresCouncil@schools.nyc.gov
Español / English / Chinese Bus Support form:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1d3SrAoSuKUp2Mx96-z8AfdNXt20JjYIbqrt1XSuzxSU/viewform?edit_requested=true so an experienced parent can advise you one on one
AND
Español / English Bus "GPS tracking" app survey: https://t.co/F3ttSxKgYu so leaders can publicly factcheck the repeat announcements that the app works for all 150,000 riders.
Same info in <280 characters for sharing on social media:
#WheresMyBus #DòndeEstáMiBús Data collection by NYC parents, for NYC parents
Bus assistance form:
Bus "GPS tracking" app survey: https://t.co/F3ttSxKgYu
Please share in your networks!
2) Use the School bus complaint log from NYC Public Advocate’s Office (212) 669-7250, GetHelp@advocate.nyc.gov:
https://advocate.nyc.gov/blog/filing-complaints-about-busing-safe-student-transportation
includes guidance on contacting the Commission on Human Rights among others.
3) To help the Federal civil rights complaint move along, use #WheresMyBus when posting about this crisis!
Inform PIST or other leaders in the school bus rights network if you are willing to speak with media or lawyers.
The full Complaint including a long list of proposed remedies: https://nylag.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/OCR-Complaint-Busing-for-Students-with-Disabilities-in-NYC.pdf
4) If there is a problematic route, try to involve the other families (and the bus driver and attendant and the school) to amplify the concern and to propose a concrete solution to the Office of Pupil Transportation.
5) Be an organizer: Bring flyers or guest speakers to your school community from the school bus rights network;
let us know if you can get materials translated into more languages and ASL (such as resources on this website);
Inform PIST or other leaders in the school bus rights network if you might be willing to speak with media or lawyers or at a rally;
6) Any school administration has the right to host an optional appreciation breakfast for bus workers and share information there about common or individualized regulation / sensory / safety needs of riders.
Look into whether this is possible, especially if lots of bus routes serve the one school.
Get on the mailing list for PIST to find out about citywide developments that affect us — for example:
Mid-year route changes based on worker seniority
Changes to online links and forms that you might need from the school system
Videos, workshops, meetings, fairs, rallies around busing
VIDEO 1 Recording of Where’s My Bus webinar
presented 8/29/24 by Rima at Metropolitan Parent Center and Sara from PIST https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_7F8H8hjyno&t=196s
Some of the important topics for school staff and families new to busing are (rounded to nearest whole minute):
From minute 45 to the 1 hour mark = different forms for different types of transportation eligibility based on medical / disability needs.
VIDEO 2 Recording and slides from Transportation Workshop
presented 9/19/24 by Maggie and Liliana at Advocates for Children https://advocatesforchildren.org/events/busing-issues-101/
Informative post from Citywide Council for District 75 explaining about Rideshare.
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/PncQZxG4fWY2tea9/
If you can’t see that post, write ccd75@schools.nyc.gov for the slides.
Note: We need to hear from you about how this has functioned in real life.
PIST has observed the following:
Eligibility is not clearly written out and many people have been denied.
There are long waiting periods.
Riders cannot ride with their para or nurse so that person does not get paid.
The family has to spend a lot of time in transit
The cab drivers lack the level of training and regulation that school buses bring
Meanwhile there’s a 27 million dollar budget over 5 years for this program, including years when almost nobody knew it existed
Imagine the drivers that could have been hired or given raises with $27M!
TIMON FAMILY SERVICES INC. es una organizacion hermana de PIST que apoya familias hispanas y otras con cuestiones de derechos en educacion especial y transporte escolar. Comuniquese con TIMON a 646.403.5228