Relates to reimbursement costs incurred by licensed transportation carriers in the city of New York

Title of bill

An act to amend the education law, in relation to transportation reimbursement of certain costs incurred by licensed transportation carriers in the city of New York

Purpose

This bill would authorize the highly successful after 4 pm transportation program to provide bus drivers in that program with an alternative fringe benefit of qualified tuition reductions allowable under federal law.

Summary of provisions

This bill would amend section 3627 of the education law, which established the highly successful after 4 pm transportation program, to include in its currently authorized reimbursements of costs incurred by licensed transportation carriers pursuant to contracts, fringe benefits for bus drivers, including, but not limited to, qualified tuition reductions allowable under federal law.

This bill would further amend section 3623-a of the education law, to make conforming amendments to such section which governs transportation aid for schools in New York State.

Existing law

Presently, the provisions of the law governing the after 4 pm transportation law, section 3627 of the education law, are silent with respect to the types of fringe benefits which may be provided to the bus drivers under this program.

Justification

The after 4 pm transportation program, established in law pursuant to section 3627 of the education law, provides transportation for all schools, public and private, who release their students after 4 pm, and requires that such students be picked up and dropped off within 600 feet (one half block) from their residence.

When this program was placed in law, the statute was silent as to what types of fringe benefits may be provided to bus drivers under the program. Costs for this program have been able to be held at a rate substantially less than standard transportation programs for public school students, due in large part to contracting flexibility afforded under the statute, and the ability to provide fringe benefit incentives, in lieu of salary benefits, including qualified tuition reeducations for the children or grand children of the bus drivers.

This bill would specifically authorize the delivery of such fringe benefits, as allowed under federal law, in order to assure the effective and efficient continuation of this highly successful program.

Legislative history

This is a new bill

Fiscal implications

None Noted

Effective date

This act would take effect immediately.