Senate Passes Fuschillo Bill to Help Reduce Costs for School Districts

        Senator Charles J. Fuschillo, Jr. (R-Merrick) announced that the New York State Senate has passed legislation he sponsors to help reduce transportation costs for school districts. The legislation would allow “school bus” signs, which must be illuminated under current law, to be constructed with more cost-effective reflective material.

        “Reflective technology provides the same safety benefits as an electrically lit ‘school bus’ sign at a lower cost. At a time when every dollar counts, school districts should be able to utilize this technology to reduce their costs. This legislation would allow them to do that, and I am pleased that it has been passed by the Senate,” said Senator Fuschillo, Chairman of the Senate’s Transportation Committee.

        Current law requires school buses to have two “school bus” signs on their vehicles to alert drivers. These signs are required to be illuminated one half hour before sunrise and one half hour after sunset. Illuminated signs are more expensive both to use and maintain and are no longer standard issue on manufactured buses. In addition, these lights accumulate snow and ice which lead to water leaks and structural corrosion.

        The legislation (S4488A) would remove the requirement that these buses have illuminated signs and would instead allow signs to be constructed from reflective material. The reflective material is similar to traffic signs and is cheaper to both purchase and maintain while still providing appropriate visibility.

        The legislation has been sent to the Assembly for consideration.