Through working with the legislature and the second floor, we will continue to be at the forefront of advocating for the right level of resources to ensure that the goal of keeping kids safe is not sacrificed on a narrow-minded budget mentality that is both penny-wise and pound foolish. Accountants and budget experts have an essential role to play, but we must always remember that, at times, these fiscal experts have a trained incapacity to understand larger and meaningful public policy goals.

NYSBCA will advocate for the following school transportation priorities (and many more) and work with the Governor, the State Legislature, and the Board of Regents to ensure they are given every consideration for the 2023 Legislative Session:

ELECTRIC SCHOOL BUS

• Amend Commissioner Regulations for Pupil Transportation Contracts (8 NYCRR 156.1–156.5) to add an electric vehicle rate to existing contracts/ ability to adjust the base price for the vehicle.
• This requires adding a new “electric vehicle” category to contracts. This provides a mechanism for contractor compensation/ flexibility that is needed due to unforeseen circumstances and expenses associated with electric school buses.
• NYSBCA has 2-3 seats on the NYSERDA advisory committee in relation to the zero-emission school bus plan for NYS and will be keeping members up to date on the latest.

DRIVER SHORTAGE

• Incentivize school districts to adopt multi-tier transportation systems via increased transportation aid from NYS to the school districts. This would save the state millions of dollars and also reduces the number of drivers needed (NY has 10% of buses nationwide) while also increasing pay for bus drivers at the same time.
• 19A Study- NYS has access to invaluable driver data via 19A. Age metrics - the rate of attrition, retention & addition – 10-year look back.
• School Bus Driver Tax Credit (sunset 2027). Based on 19-A, drivers in good standing.
• NYS adoption of the 2-year waiver i.e. ‘under the hood’ CDL testing requirement. The waiver would be effective from November 27, 2022, through November 27, 2024.
• https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2022-10-27/pdf/2022-23346.pdf

As always, we will continue to track and monitor legislation that can potentially hurt the industry and make sure that NYSBCA always has a seat at the table with key decision-makers on these initiatives and many more. Our goal is always to educate the elected officials on the practicality and reasonableness of any proposal and to continue to be the industry experts that the elected officials come to whenever they are confronted with anything pupil transportation related.

For additional information, contact: Bradley Gerstman, Esq., Gerstman PLLC at (646) 689-1530 or brad@gerstmangr.com.