Senator Golden Restores School Bus Service for 7th and 8th Grade Students

Albany- State Senator Martin J. Golden (R-C-I, Brooklyn) today is announcing the passage of legislation (S. 6027-B/A8683-B), which he co-sponsored, that would allow the City of New York to restore the yellow school bus service to 7th and 8th grade school children. The bill was approved today by both the State Senate and the State Assembly.

Senator Golden stated, “The passage of this bill is a tremendous victory for all school children, families and educators, of the City of New York. We have changed the law to make it again possible for 7th and 8th grade students to travel by school bus to and from school. This was an important thing to do to support our families and to ensure the safety of our students.”

Senator Golden continued, “This is a great accomplishment for the students affected by this policy change from my district and throughout New York City. At school’s such as St. Anselm’s in Bay Ridge, like at many others, this change was causing parents to have to make difficult decisions related to their child’s educational future. I hope that Governor Andrew Cuomo will sign this bill into law, so this can be in effect before the next school year.”

The New York City Department of Education typically only provides school bus service to students through the sixth grade. This legislation exempts New York City from the “Like Circumstances” clause of the New York State Education Law with regard to 7th and 8th grade yellow school busing. In September of 2009, the New York City Department of Education revoked a variance that allowed 7th and 8th graders to be eligible for yellow school bus service.