New York School Bus Contractors Association

More Can Be Done to Prevent Driver DWI’s, but Mandating Ignition Interlocks on All School Buses is Not the Answer

superadmin — Thu, 02 May 2013 17:00:26 +0000

Farmingdale, N.Y. – The New York School Bus Contractors Association, represented by school bus safety expert and Association Board Member Paul Mori, provided testimony today at the Senate Public Hearing held at Farmingdale State College regarding a proposed bill to mandate ignition interlock devices on every school bus in New York State. “As champions of school bus safety, the New York School Bus Contractors Association believe there are better solutions to help prevent DWI and further protect our children,” said Association Board Member, Paul Mori. “When considering the excellent safety record of the industry, the technical challenges of ignition interlocks, and cost, the Association believes that mandating ignition interlock devices on every single school bus in New York is simply not a rational response to a few isolated, yet widely-publicized, incidences.” Mori, who is also a Senior Manager at Huntington Coach on Long Island has 32-years of experience in school bus safety, rejected the logic behind the push for mandatory interlocks on all school buses, and instead offered proven solutions used by the industry leaders in pupil transportation safety. While he said any case of an intoxicated bus driver is unacceptable, Mori noted that school buses continue to be the safest mode of transportation for school children. “School buses are, by far, the safest way for a child to get to and from school in New York -- statistically almost 40 times safer than riding in a car,” said Mori. “Overall, New York’s school districts and contractors are doing a phenomenal job at transporting more than 2-million students to and from school every day.” Interlock Ignition Flaws Mr. Mori went on to lay out the numerous flaws with the proposal for mandatory ignition interlocks on all school buses, from using a “guilty until proven innocent” approach with all school bus drivers -- statistically the safest and most conscientious drivers on the roads today -- to the many technical problems with interlocks. “The interlocks have to be engaged and re-engaged every time a school bus is started and re-started. Any false positives (mouthwash) or other problems with the device would lead to significant employee and transportation management issues. And, because these devices require activation from a driver while the vehicle is running to be effective, this could create major distractions for the driver and, ultimately, be very dangerous for students riding the bus,” said Mr. Mori. Mori also testified on the astronomical cost of installation, maintenance, calibration, training, and additional staffing. "The estimated increase in costs to cash-strapped school districts and taxpayers could be over 100-million-dollars," said Mr. Mori. “Recurring costs to school districts and taxpayers of more than 60-million-dollars a year when you factor in device cost, training, testing, maintenance, and replacement.” Smarter solutions Safety is the number one priority of the New York School Bus Contractors Association, and its members believe there are better solutions to help prevent DWI. These solutions include increasing and expanding random drug and alcohol testing of all drivers of all school vehicles. While many contractors already subject drivers to random testing, under the current law, drug and alcohol testing only applies to certain license holders. Some drivers, including those driving school buses with 14 or fewer passengers, are excluded from the testing pool. Another solution is for New York to follow the Federal minimum of 50-percent random drug testing, and increase random alcohol testing to at least 25-percent of the school bus driver pool, up from the 10-percent which is currently required. Other expanded safety measures supported by the NYSBCA include additional employee and management education programs, increasing the training for supervisors in drug and alcohol use recognition, and better enforcement throughout the industry of laws requiring the “direct observation” of a school bus driver before their shift. NYSBCA also stated their strong support for increased penalties for drivers convicted of operating a school bus under the influence. The state could also help prevent problem drivers from getting behind the wheel of a school bus by having the State Department of Motor Vehicles keep a registry of drivers who have been disqualified from work due to failed drug or alcohol tests. “We realize that even one DWI or incident of driving under the influence of alcohol among school bus drivers is one too many, but again, now is the time to be rational and judicious in our approach,” concluded Mr. Mori. “There are a number of smart improvements that can be made to our current laws to keep our school buses as safe as possible; all of which will be more effective than mandating expensive and untested ignition interlock devices.” Mori is also a (Dept. Motor Vehicles) 19A Certified Examiner, (State Education Department) Master School Bus Driving Instructor, Defensive Driving Instructor, and a First Responder. About the New York School Bus Contractors Association: The Association is an organization comprising over two hundred school transportation companies, also known as school bus contractors, with the primary mission of promoting safe, reliable and cost-effective student transportation services in New York State. For more information visit: http://www.nysbca.com

School bus lobby argues that privatization will deliver savings

superadmin — Fri, 29 Mar 2013 05:03:33 +0000

Click here to read the Business Review story.

Video highlights benefits of private school bus contractors

superadmin — Sat, 16 Mar 2013 22:43:48 +0000

Click this link to watch our new video on YouTube.

Plan puts $100 million into classrooms!

superadmin — Tue, 12 Mar 2013 00:55:43 +0000

Check out our new video to see how schools across the state are saving millions of dollars by using private school bus contractors. Highlights of our plan to help put $100 million back into our schools:

The New York School Bus Contractors Association is proposing a new law to help cash-strapped school districts reduce transportation costs while maintaining the highest levels of safety.
The New York Senate Majority Coalition included the cost-saving initiative in its one-house budget bill (S.2607-C).
The proposed law will allow districts that switch to a cost-effective private school bus operator to keep unused transportation aid for important educational needs. Not to exceed a period of five years. It is and option – not a mandate.
For the purpose of this program, allowable transportation expenses shall be based on the first year prior to entering into a contract with the private school bus operator.
The savings could help school districts pay for the costs associated with going out to a request for proposal to hire a private school bus operator.
Estimated savings to the State and school districts could be upwards of $100 million per year with no additional costs to the State or our school districts.
There is absolutely no increase in cost to New York State or our school districts – it will actually be an instant savings to the State because the State can hold the line on transportation spending for that particular school district.
The proposed law will allow the State to freeze transportation aid for up to five years for those schools opting into the program.
The State will most likely see a reduction in aidable transportation after year five for schools choosing to opt in to the program because of the savings provided by the private school bus operator.
The plan helps schools address the problem of stranded costs like school buses, parts and facilities by allowing them to keep the proceeds of the sale – and reinvest those revenues into educational purposes or school repair.

Excerpt from S.2607-C of 2013 Senate Education Budget Bill Provides school districts with the ability to keep certain transportation aid once they switch to a private pupil transportation operator -- initiative capped at a maximum of five years 6. Subdivision 3 of section 3623-a of the education law is amended by adding a new paragraph d to read as follows: (1) Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, where a school district providing transportation for some or all of its district pupils through a district operated transportation system as of the first day of September two thousand thirteen contracts for the transportation of its pupils with a contractor and such contract results in a lower allowable transportation expense pursuant to this section than the district operated transportation system such district may compute its transportation aid pursuant to this section based upon the higher district operated transportation system costs; provided, however, that such school district meets the requirements set forth in subparagraph two of this paragraph. (2) A school district which computes its transportation aid pursuant to subparagraph one of this paragraph shall meet the following requirements:

(i) Calculate its allowable transportation expenses pursuant to this section for a district operated transportation system for the two thousand twelve--two thousand thirteen school year. Such calculation shall be based on that portion of the transportation system that is district operated and proposed to be contracted to a qualified pupil transportation contractor;

(ii) If a school district presently provides for transportation for its pupils through a combination of a district operated transportation system and a contractor transportation system, only that portion of the transportation system which is district operated is eligible for treatment under this paragraph;

(iii) Issue a request for proposal for such district operated transportation services; and

(iv) Award a contract for such district operated transportation services to a qualified pupil transportation contractor.

(3) Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, a school district switching from a district operated transportation system to a contractor transportation system may sell or lease equipment purchased in support of the district operated transportation system and retain any proceeds and amortized transportation aid. (4) A school district shall be ineligible for retention of transportation aid pursuant to this paragraph upon expiration of the initial contract entered into between the school district and the pupil transportation contractor. (5) A school district shall be eligible for retention of transportation aid pursuant to this paragraph for no more than five years. New York School Bus Contractors Association Contact: Andre Claridge, andre@pcpublicaffairs.com 518-424-2575