Latham, N.Y. –
New York School Bus Contractors Association (NYSBCA), a not-for-profit association, whose members transport nearly 60% of the 2.7 million children riding a yellow school bus in New York State each day, thanks Governor Cuomo for signing the pre-employment and random drug and alcohol testing of school bus drivers bill (S2587-E) into law. The association would also like to thank Senator Marcellino and Assembly Member Lupardo, the bill’s two prime sponsors in the legislature, for their non-stop support of helping keep school children safe.
NYSBCA is certain this legislation the Governor signed into law – a bill the Association has supported since day one – will help make riding a yellow school bus in New York even safer. NYSBCA worked closely with New York Association for Pupil Transportation (NYAPT), a fellow school bus association focusing on and promoting school bus safety.
“Today is big win for school bus safety. We cannot thank the New York State Legislature, nor our Governor enough, for making school bus transportation even safer for our children”, said Bree Allen, NYSBCA President. “While many school bus contractors already have random drug testing in place on all of their drivers, this legislation closes a loophole by requiring all school bus drivers – public or private -- be subjected to testing, no matter what class license they have or what size vehicle they operate. As a result, riding a yellow school bus in New York State is now even safer.”
While it is a fact that being transported on a school bus is the safest way for a child to get to and from school, this new law will help ensure all
school bus drivers are adhering to the highest safety standards possible.
Allen went on to say, “Our Association’s Leadership has worked on this legislation for more than five years. The Governor’s signature is a welcome acknowledgement that when school bus companies, school districts, transportation safety advocates, parents and teachers, all get together, our state government will work for that which is in the public’s best interest.”
About New York School Bus Contractors Association
School bus contractors transport over 1.3 million children a day; or nearly 60% of all children riding a yellow school bus in New York State. Our association’s primary mission is to promote safe, reliable, and cost-effective student transportation services for school districts and our communities. For more information, please visit:
www.nysbca.com
