NYC School Bus Audit Reveals Almost Million in Uncollected Penalties

In a recent audit conducted by the New York City Comptroller’s Office, it was revealed that the city’s public school system failed to collect approximately .6 million in penalties from yellow bus companies over poor service in the previous fiscal year. The report underscores a significant ongoing problem in school transportation, which has left many students stranded and forced parents to miss work, particularly affecting children with disabilities.

The penalties in question were linked to violations of a GPS technology requirement, which mandates that bus drivers log in before starting their routes. This allows parents to track the whereabouts of the bus and ensure the safety of their children. However, the audit found that officials assessed penalties in only 5.5 percent of cases where drivers neglected to log in, resulting in just .7 million being collected, with the vast majority of fines going unaddressed.

Comptroller Brad Lander emphasized the systemic issues plaguing the school bus system, stating that it has consistently failed students and their families. The impact of unreliable service is felt acutely by working parents, whose schedules are disrupted, and by students who miss essential class time as a result of late arrivals or no-shows.

This audit follows a challenging year for the billion school bus sector, which faced a contract dispute threatening the transportation services for thousands of students. At the onset of the current school year, the Panel for Educational Policy, the body overseeing school operations in a mayor-controlled system, opted against a routine contract extension. After extensive discussions, the city ultimately finalized a retroactive three-year extension with the bus companies, in light of advocates’ calls for more comprehensive reforms.

During the 2023-2024 school year, parents reportedly made over 15,000 inquiries regarding tardy pickups and more than 14,000 complaints about buses not showing up at all. These figures may underrepresent the situation, as over 5,000 reports of disconnected calls were also recorded, indicating widespread frustration among families reliant on school bus services.

The audit highlights that many students eligible for bus services are either disabled or homeless, exacerbating their need for reliable transportation. Advocacy groups have echoed calls for better management and oversight of the transportation system, criticizing the fragmented approach that sees the city outsourcing services to 48 private companies without sufficient accountability.

While the Department of Education acknowledged the audit’s findings, it argued that the vast scale of operations — with upwards of 8,000 bus routes run twice daily — should provide context for the relatively high number of reported issues. Despite issuing .9 million in damages to bus companies for various service deficiencies, the department maintains that it rigorously investigates complaints and holds individuals accountable for significant problems.

This audit serves as a critical reminder of the ongoing challenges facing New York City’s school transportation system, emphasizing the urgent need for accountability, improved service delivery, and comprehensive reform to better serve the city’s students and families. The implications of such reviews extend beyond operational efficiencies; they directly affect the educational experiences of countless children reliant on this essential service.