School Starts Here!!

ALBANY, NY (09/05/2013)(readMedia)-- In these early days of September, millions of New York's children will load their back-packs and wave to their families as they head off to school for their opening day. Over 2.3 million of those children will climb aboard a yellow school bus for their ride to school and NYAPT wants their families to know that they will be safe in our hands.

NYAPT President, Richard Gallagher, of the Bay Shore Central School District on Long Island noted, "The yellow school bus has been the symbol of safety in our school communities for many years. School districts as well as school bus contractors work diligently to ensure that all the elements of the school bus ride are safe and that our students are provided a high quality ride to their school. For us, it's all about Safety for our children. We strive daily to ensure that 2.3 million children are able to access the education that our schools provide to them."

NYAPT Executive Director, Peter Mannella, stated that "there are over 50,000 school buses on our roads and in our neighborhoods every day. They are built around safety for the children. There are over 50,000 school bus drivers behind the wheels of those buses. They are licensed and trained for safety for the children. Safety is no accident. It is the result of a set of decisions, preparation, training and team discipline---with one customer in mind: our children.

"When we see the bright yellow school buses coming down our streets, we know that school is back in session and our children are riding those buses to learn and to grow. The school bus is in so many ways 'the first classroom of the day' for our children. We applaud the work of our school bus drivers and attendants and all in school transportation who ensure the safe and efficient transportation of our children. They are the face of our school systems and we work hard to prepare them to keep our children safe."

State Motor Vehicles Commissioner Barbara Fiala noted that "The yellow school bus is an icon of safety and of our schools. New York has a proud tradition of school bus safety that is derived from our rigorous licensing and training systems and from our attention to equipment safety and maintenance. School bus safety, however, also involves motorists who must remember to STOP when a school bus is stopped with its red lights flashing. Their failure to stop as required by Section 1174 of the Vehicle and Traffic Law will result in steep fines---but most importantly could result in injury or death to one of our children. We are better than that."

State Transportation Commissioner Joan McDonald stated that "There are few images more familiar in American neighborhoods than the yellow school bus. That friendly Chrome Yellow bus has been with us for 75 years and here in New York State we do all we can to ensure that it is safe for every child who boards a school bus. We have rigorous equipment standards that exceed federal requirements and we have equally rigorous bus inspection program that also exceeds federal standards and the practices in most other states. It takes a lot to carry this program out but we sustain the investment because it helps to protect our children. We look forward to another safe year of school bus travel in New York."

NYAPT also strongly urged and reminded all motorists in the state about illegal passing of school buses. "We remain concerned that over 50,000 motorists each day pass stopped school buses illegally. We urge motorists to take their time, pay attention and STOP when they see those flashing red lights that indicate children are boarding or leaving a school bus. Our children are counting on us all to STOP for their safe passage," stated NYAPT President, Richard Gallagher.

DMV Commissioner Fiala also noted that "This department and our state's leadership are committed to collaborating with the school transportation and law enforcement communities to reduce and eliminate the dangerous practice of illegal passing of school buses. We cannot continue to accept the very high incidence of illegal passing which exposes our children to danger. Please STOP for the red lights on the school bus!"

For further information about school transportation in New York State and about school bus safety measures undertaken by school districts and school bus operators, contact Peter Mannella, Executive Director of the New York Association for Pupil Transportation, or visit the NYAPT website at www.nyapt.org.