Comments on: As bus bidding opens, Bloomberg again warns of a strike

By: Ellen

Ellen — Wed, 02 Jan 2013 14:05:00 +0000

As long as the Mayor and PEP continue to approve un-zoned schools; as long as private schools continue to use these buses for free; as long as charter schools multiply and use the busing services for free, NYC will split the bill with Albany for what some folks consider to be free loaders.

The reimbursements for busing are a result of wrangling in Albany.
Every other school district in this Sate has a higher reimbursement rate
than NYC. There are over 700 local school districts in this State,
some with fewer than 1,000 students, and yet our legislature has seen
fit to punish NYC by reducing the reimbursement rates.

Fierp: despite your poorly disguised contempt, yes
there are many parents who advocate for lower transportation costs.
They have taken, and continue to, action with their elected officials.
The problem lies with the reimbursement structures in Albany.

By: d13parent

d13parent — Sat, 29 Dec 2012 05:06:00 +0000

Not sure the past decade is a good predictor, given the timing of the rise in charters. Everyone I know in choice schools uses the bus, especially after kindergarten, even w/45 min rides. Some even drive the kids to the bus stop!

By: Flerp

Flerp — Thu, 27 Dec 2012 20:33:00 +0000

The number of students riding buses has been basically flat for more than a decade. There’s probably an effective ceiling on ridership because the service is so horrendous, e.g. dropoffs that require leaving your house earlier than if you were just taking the kids directly to school. The reason that busing costs will keep exploding is not going to be “choice” elementary schools. It will be what it’s been for the last 30 years: unaffordable, auto-renewed, no-bid contracts.

By: d13parent

d13parent — Thu, 27 Dec 2012 19:27:00 +0000

yet another reason why i’m happy to support our local zoned school. imagine what this budget line item will look like in 6 years. by then, all the “choice” elementary programs they are opening will have reached maturity and instead of 10% of the little kids being bused in, it’ll be 90%.

By: Larry Littlefield

Larry Littlefield — Thu, 27 Dec 2012 13:10:00 +0000

I guess private companies with monopoly power can work the political system too. The private bus companies are known for their city council campaign contributions.

The data shows that NYC spends far less than average on non-instructional spending with two exceptions — custodians and transportation, which are above the average even with the city’s per pupil spending adjusted downward to account for the higher cost of living. But the share of NYC students that walk to school is far higher than in other places.

By: Loammi24

Loammi24 — Thu, 27 Dec 2012 02:00:00 +0000

say not to bloomberg. how parests will get to their jobs taking kids to school at 9 am an taking aleast 2 or 3 buses.

By: Flerp

Flerp — Sat, 22 Dec 2012 23:50:00 +0000

$1.1 billion for buses that the vast majority of students don’t use.