January 29, 2013, Albany, NY – The New York School Bus Contractors Association responded to the Executive Budget proposal by offering proven cost-saving solutions to help the Governor and the Legislature put upwards of $100 million in funds for school transportation back into New York’s classrooms. The president of the New York School Bus Contractors Association, Phil Vallone, planned to present the ideas at the Joint Legislative Public Hearing on 2013-2014 Executive Budget on January 29, at 1:50, in Hearing Room B.
The cost-saving solutions will give cash-strapped school districts not currently using private pupil transportation operators the opportunity to do so, allowing these schools to significantly reduce transportation costs while maintaining the highest standards in school bus safety.
“More than half of the schools in New York State are enjoying the safety and cost-saving benefits of using a private pupil transportation operator,” said Vallone. “We believe the solutions we are putting forth this year will help even more schools realize the safety and cost-saving benefits of using a private pupil transportation operator for their school bus services.”
The proposal would help school districts explore the option of hiring a private school bus operator, and allow the schools to keep unused transportation aid for up to five years. The plan also calls for the repeal of the state and local sales tax on the purchase of school buses – a tax that is ironically paid by the school and the state.
New York schools currently using private pupil transportation operators have reduced transportation costs by a total of $200 million per year. This represents one of the most successful examples of public-private partnership in New York State. It is estimated that an additional $100 million a year could be saved if more school districts partnered with private school bus contractors.
About the New York School Bus Contractors Association: The Association is an organization comprising over two hundred school transportation companies, also known as school bus contractors, with the primary mission of promoting safe, reliable and cost-effective student transportation services in New York State. (www.nysbca.com)