Family and School Resources

Want to know where your student’s bus is?

NYC has a new system that allows you to track your bus. Click below for more info and to download their app.

Parent
Responsibilities:
Help Us, Help You

We all have the same goal: to transport children to school safely and kindly. For this system to work smoothly, we need your help and cooperation. Here are a few ways that you can help:

  1. Be ready in the morning and afternoon. While we cannot control traffic, we do our best to be on time and kindly ask you to be ready in the morning and afternoon to ensure a smooth route — that way we can pick up and drop off your child and be on time for the next family.

  2. Remind your children to:

    • Stand back from the bus as it approaches the curb.

    • Stay 10 feet in front of the bus when crossing the street — to ensure that the driver can see you

    • Always remain seated and wear their seatbelt.

    • Be nice to the bus attendant and driver.

  3. Review NYC Public Schools Family Responsibilities and Expectations and their  Safety Tips.

Who To Contact When

Have issues with your bus route or service?

Need to update
your address, contact info, schedule, or report absence?

Call your school

Have bus concerns, staff feedback, or bus status inquiries?

Call NYCSBUS
(718) 389 - 4241

Get more support

Schools Need Help

  • The Office of Pupil Transportation provides transportation services to all schools that serve NYC school children, whether they attend public school or not, whether they are located in NYC or outside our city’s borders. They have specific information about transportation for schools here.

  • The Archdiocese of NY has information for Catholic schools and students in those schools here.

Get more support

Family Advocacy Groups

Some advocacy groups that can provide support for parents, especially those with children who have transportation needs or other specific concerns related to school busing:

  • INCLUDEnyc is an organization that helps families navigate the services and resources available for students with disabilities. They offer resources on advocacy, including transportation support, and help ensure students receive their proper accommodations under the law.

  • Advocates for Children of NY supports children at risk of academic failure or discrimination, particularly those from marginalized communities. They published a guide in Oct 2021 to help schools and families navigate student transportation.

  • The NYC Parents Union advocates for better educational access and services, including transportation, for students across New York City, particularly those with disabilities.

  • The National Parent Technical Assistance Center (PTAC) seeks to help parents understand their rights under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), which includes transportation accommodations for students with disabilities.

Who Makes the Rules?

School busing regulations and associations can be viewed below. [expand]

  • OPT governs school busing for all students in NYC. Their website offers a variety of information about transportation services for families and schools

  • The State of New York regulates school busing and certifies all NYCSBUS drivers and inspects all of our school buses twice each year.

    Inspection of our vehicles is done by the State’s Department of Transportation Office of Safety and Security Services.

    Drivers, remember to be safe around school buses. The NY State DMV has this information about safety around school buses and the Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee is taking steps to ensure that drivers are safe around school buses.

  • Federal oversight is primarily through NHTSA. NHTSA also regulates school busing and has information about school bus safety here.

  • NYAPT is dedicated to the support, development and representation of the professionals responsible for the safe and efficient transportation of our school children.

  • NAPT is the source of learning, knowledge, and future-oriented research for the student transportation professional and provides resources, education and ideas to enhance the power and performance of the student transportation industry.