What’s New in Student Transportation This Year

NYC School Bus App

We are working with Via to customize a solution for student transportation to meet the needs of New York City families, students, schools, administrators, and school bus companies. We are introducing these technologies to NYC student transportation to improve the overall quality of service.

Find out more at NYC School Bus App.

Rideshare Options 

To learn more about rideshare options and eligibility please reach out to your school for assistance. 

Rideshare Availability

NYCPS works with Limosys to provide rideshare in certain circumstances for certain groups of students. Specifically, for students with IEP-mandated busing, students in temporary housing, and students in foster care who qualify for busing, rideshare may be available in the event of driver/paraprofessional/nurse coverage issues, or if there is a delay in route assignment. Schools will contact eligible parents as needed to inform them of their eligibility and guide them through the process. For questions on rideshare availability and process, parents or guardians should contact the Transportation Coordinator at their child’s school.

Accessing Rideshare

  • To book a ride families can book directly through the Tripslink website or contact 212-426-8000.
  • Families will be able to book two trips totaling four rides a day with the single voucher code. Families will be able to book a ride to school in the AM, as well as from the school to their next step; and to the school for pickup in AM, as well as the ride from school to home.
  • Families must use the school address as both the destination of the ride to pick up their child AND as the starting point for their ride home. The ride can only be booked from the school address as the start or end point of the ride.

Alternate Afternoon Drop-Off

Alternate afternoon bus drop-off arrangements can be requested online. Please visit the Transportation Support Hub for more information about alternate PM drop off service and to submit a request.

School Bus Routes and Services

Your child may be on the bus with students from different schools. Getting our students to and from school as safely as possible is as important as keeping them safe while they are in the building. Whether traveling by bus, public transportation, or other means, students will be expected to follow the same safety protocols, such as wearing masks, as they will in and around their school.

Your Child’s Bus Route

Your child’s current transportation assignment and information is now available in your NYC Schools Account (NYCSA).

Contact your child’s school for help setting up a NYCSA account and to find out your child’s schedule, what days they will be in attendance, and their programming model.

Public Transportation

MetroCards

Your school will provide student MetroCards to eligible students for travel to and from school. Parents/guardians of students in temporary housing who accompany students to school are also eligible for a MetroCard.

When using public transportation, parents and students are expected to follow the same safety protocols as all New Yorkers.

Health and Safety

School Bus Health and Safety Procedures

Face Coverings are strongly recommended to be worn when indoors and during travel to/from school.

As of December 9, 2022, the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene issued a universal indoor masking recommendation for all indoor settings, including schools, daycare centers, buses, and subways, given the very high rates of flu and other respiratory conditions. Masks will be made available at the school for all those who need/want them. 

Ventilation

Where practicable and weather permitting, buses will operate with the windows open and with air system on the bus in the non-recirculating mode.

Physical Distancing

Physical distancing is not required on school buses. 

Masking Updates

As of March 7, 2022, face coverings (masks) are no longer required on school buses. While wearing a face covering is no longer be required, anyone who chooses to wear a mask may continue to do so; face coverings will continue to be available from the bus operator. Face coverings are strongly recommended to be worn when indoors.

Cleaning and Disinfecting

Routine cleaning of surfaces will be maintained.

Daily Health Screener

No longer required to enter school buildings.

Stay Home if Sick

Students and staff should stay home if they show any symptoms of COVID-19 or other illnesses and get tested for COVID-19.