§ 3635-c. Standing passengers prohibited. Standing passengers shall
not be carried on school buses owned by or contracted to a school
district while such vehicles are employed exclusively for the
transportation of pupils under the age of twenty-one and teachers and
other persons acting in a supervisory capacity to or from school or
school activities, except as provided in subdivision one or two of this
section:

1. Standing passengers may be permitted on such a school bus provided
that the number of standing passengers does not exceed the limit
established in the following schedule for the applicable time period:

Period: Not more than:
Through June 30, 2001 20% of approved seating capacity
Between July 1, 2001 and 15% of approved seating capacity
June 30, 2002
Between July 1, 2002 and 10% of approved seating capacity
June 30, 2003
Between July 1, 2003 and 5% of approved seating capacity
June 30, 2004

2. Notwithstanding any other provision of this section to the
contrary, standing passengers may be permitted without limitation as to
number during the first ten days of session in each school year, and in
circumstances where a breakdown, accident, or other unforeseen
occurrence necessitates the transportation of standing passengers.

3. Nothing contained in this section shall be construed to restrict
the power of a city with a population of one million or more to adopt
and enforce local laws that comply with at least the minimum applicable
standards set forth in this section.