Resource List
Contents of this website and beyond, made for bus parents, by bus parents Recursos en Español se nota con este color
If you find this useful please share the link in your school and networks. Also we would appreciate any donation you can spare towards the website bill of $276 due in May 2025. Our CashApp is $pistnyc and our main fundraiser is at https://gofund.me/CEEEAD76
Resolving issues with pupil transportation … Presentar una queja ante OPT … আপনার সন্তানের স্কুল বাসের যাতায়াত সংক্রান্ত (ROUTE) সমস্যা
English: PHONE + email https://www.pistnyc.org/resources/bus-problems ONLINE with or without NYCSA: https://supporthub.schools.nyc/family-topics/Transportation/ Choose language from menu next to the colorful G (Google logo) in the upper right. Most topics refer you back to the school or the OPT phone/website but for some issues including wheelchair access, chronic lateness, and vendor (company) misconduct there is a button to “Create a Ticket.” } https://advocatesforchildren.org/resource/resolving-transportation-issues/ also in Chinese, Russian, Spanish ]
Español - https://www.pistnyc.org/resources/bus-problems EN LINEA con o sin NYCSA - https://supporthub.schools.nyc/family-topics/Transportation / Elija el idioma en el menú junto a la colorida G (logotipo de Google) en la parte superior derecha. La mayoría de los temas se le redirigirá , pero para algunos problemas, incluyendo el acceso a sillas de ruedas, retraso crónico y mala conducta del proveedor (compañía), hay un botón para "Crear ticket".}. https://advocatesforchildren.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/transportation_issues_tip_sheet_spanish.pdf
Bangla : আপনার সন্তানের স্কুল বাসের যাতায়াত সংক্রান্ত (ROUTE) সমস্যা https://www.pistnyc.org/resources/bangla-bus-advice
Correcting family contact info at OPT (Office of Pupil Transportation) and the school bus company / Corrección de la información de contacto familiar en OPT (Oficina de Transporte de Alumnos) y la empresa de autobuses escolares English /Español: https://www.pistnyc.org/resources/fixing-contact-info
No answer at the bus company phone / Nadie contesta el telefono en la empresa de autobuses escolares English / Español: https://www.pistnyc.org/resources/reaching-the-bus-company
Bus Emergency contact card in 9 languages - parent signs whether to drop off child alone or wait for an adult. You can add up to 4 adult names for safety. Ask the bus staff for a blank card. Español Tarjeta de contacto de emergencia en 9 idiomas - La familia firma diciendo si el bus puede dejar a un niño solo o debe esperar a un adulto. Puede agregar hasta 4 nombres de adultos por seguridad. Pida al personal del autobús una tarjeta vacio. Preview the questions at tinyurl.com/buscontact Previsualice las preguntas en tinyurl.com/buscontact
Attendance codes for lack of transportation -
Rules for maximum length of time on the bus and other frequently asked questions - English tinyurl.com/PISTAdvice
Tiempos máximos según OPT y otras preguntas comun - Español: tinyurl.com/PISTConsejo
Nycsa account Contact your school administration to get NYCSA creation codes. EVEN NON-PUBLIC SCHOOLS CAN GET THE CODES. CSE should be able to instruct them. https://www.schools.nyc.gov/learning/student-journey/nyc-schools-account/nycsa-account-set-up-guide-for-parents = video on the public schools website - MORE ADVICE AT https://www.pistnyc.org/resources/nycsaguides incluye algunos recursos sobre la cuenta enlinea donde ponen la info de notas y transporte en Español
Other advocates to contact when there is a pattern of school transportation violations English: https://www.pistnyc.org/events/action-steps
If school staff are in the United Federation of Teachers: For students with disabilities who have “Specialized Transportation” legal mandates on their IEPs, Parents/legal guardians (or teachers) of students with IEPs who wish to confidentially report potential violations to their students’ IEPs may do so using this confidential online ‘Special Education Compliance Complaint Form’: https://www.uft.org/teaching/students-disabilities/special-education-compliance-complaint/file-special-education-compliance-complaint
Alternative PM dropoff if your child needs to be dropped off somewhere other than home see https://www.pistnyc.org/resources/change-of-pm-dropoff
How to apply for Accommodations on the bus (1) Written from PIST https://www.pistnyc.org/resources/howtogetiepbusing
(2) Written from Advocates for Children https://www.advocatesforchildren.org/wp-content/uploads/library/arranging_transportation_services.pdf \
(3) Video from Sinergia, Inc. in English https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_7F8H8hjyno&t=196s - go to minute 00:45:00 = IEP mandated transportation
00:47:00 = Section 504 transportation
00:50:00 = overview of Non-medical Exceptions
after 0:55 = Temporary medical exceptions
00:57:00 to 01:01:00 = recognizing the different forms for different types of transportation eligibility based on medical / disability needs.Parent-created resource on Bus Paraprofessional hiring process and help Written English/Spanish https://www.pistnyc.org/resources/bus-paras Proceso de conseguir paraprofesional para el autobús Escrito en inglés/español: https://www.pistnyc.org/resources/bus-paras
Transportation Reimbursement (one day at a time) https://www.pistnyc.org/resources/no-show-bus Written English
Rideshare processes Citywide Council for District 75 explanation of Rideshare (prepaid taxis for when the eligible student has no bus route, or bus staff is absent): https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=830129062644280&set=pcb.830130345977485
Travel Training 1 hour video of Beyond Access session led by David Abrahams from the Office of Travel Training, posted January 2023
https://youtube.com/watch?v=nG8cXKIKgFE&feature=share Please contact 212-673-1242 or D75traveltraining@schools.nyc.gov for info and forms.
The 4 day Pre-travel training program for students and parents is going to be repeated in May 2025. Contract District 75 or d75council@schools.nyc.gov PIST resource about this English / Capacitación para Viajes Español: https://www.pistnyc.org/resources/travel-trainingSchool Transportation rights from temporary housing / TRANSPORTE A LA ESCUELA desde alojamiento temporal o albergue https://www.pistnyc.org/resources/school-transportation-from-temporary-housing-transporte-a-la-escuela-desde-alojamiento-temporal
Accident on the bus https://www.pistnyc.org/resources/accident-protocol What is supposed to happen when there is any kind of vehicle incident involving the school bus with students on board?
PIST NYC facebook group Public forum for questions and answers from experienced parents and drivers in real time, usually in English https://www.facebook.com/groups/pistnyc/ Please use the SEARCH logo and type in key words to see if your question has been asked recently.
To receive email updates about changes and the fight - Subscribe to Parents to Improve School Transportation https://www.pistnyc.org/subscribe
The school bus GPS tracking app (Via) English, Español, Mandarin, Korean: https://www.pistnyc.org/resources/school-bus-app
Other trackers parents use - English: https://www.pistnyc.org/resources/better-trackers
Explanation of the School Bus Seniority Pick (mid-year change of crew at some companies) with Social Story outline and videos for students -English: https://www.pistnyc.org/resources/upcoming-changes
Algunos cambios de personal en el autobus cerca de febrero - Español https://www.pistnyc.org/resources/upcoming-changes
Electric school bus efforts https://www.pistnyc.org/resources/electric-school-bus
What has been done about HOT SCHOOL BUSES? https://www.pistnyc.org/resources/electric-school-bus
Summer busing (old but has useful contact info for Tripslink / LimoSys / rideshare - English: https://www.pistnyc.org/resources/electric-school-bus Check the resouce home page for a Summer 2025 busing resource by early May
RESOURCES ABOUT school bus EPP bill in Albany S 1018
D75 President's Council, Timon Family Services and PIST prepared this information sheet for legislators (English with links to the bill and sources) tinyurl.com/WhyS1018
PIST prepared this letter about S1018 to citywide labor union councils: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfqkaJdsOqXmUG6CnCP0f-BLQHL9CAYKmm_DIeaJpL_jts5Ug/viewform If you are a union member AND you have family members using the yellow school bus (special or general education), feel free to sign on.
Road to Better Busing letter for organizations and advocates to sign In Support of Legislative Change to Improve Student Transportation in New York City: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1ni4wKfelrwbvxiAg9VS-V4QWwI1LLJFnyYHpS5axAmg/edit?tab=t.0
Chart says schools use Code 37 for Lateness due to lack of bus service and Code 20 for Absence due to lack of bus service. This was finally shared to parents when there was a risk of a school bus strike in August 2023. Since that time, one school reported not being able to apply the absence code retroactively, so please have your student’s school try this on the same day that a no-show bus interferes with their attendance. If you learn of any different codes please inform us at pistnyc@gmail.com