Navigating Student Transportation with the NYC Office of Pupil Transportation

For public, non-public, and preschool staff and administrators, this page serves as your central resource for accessing applications, forms, and essential policy and procedure information from the New York City Office of Pupil Transportation (OPT).

For Public, Charter, and Non-Public Schools

Efficient student transportation is crucial for the smooth operation of any school. Understanding who to contact for different transportation needs ensures timely and effective resolutions. The Nyc Office Of Pupil Transportation (OPT) provides a tiered support system to address various inquiries and issues.

When to Contact Your Transportation Liaison

Think of your Transportation Liaison (TL) as your dedicated support specialist for all things busing. They are your primary point of contact for daily operational questions and support.

Your Transportation Liaison is the right contact for:

Application Access and Training: Need help navigating OPT systems or understanding the application process for transportation services? Your TL can provide access and guide you through the necessary training.
Reporting Bus Delays (Late to School): If a school bus is running late arriving at school, your TL should be informed.
Overcrowded Bus Reports: Concerned about a bus exceeding capacity? Your TL can help address and resolve bus overloading issues.
Field Trip Assistance: Planning a school field trip? Your TL can assist with logistical arrangements and transportation options.
Student Eligibility Verification: Need to confirm if a student is eligible for transportation services? Your TL can check student eligibility quickly.
OMNY Card Inventory Management: For questions related to OMNY card inventory, distribution, and tracking, your TL is your go-to person.
Bus Stop and OMNY Card Information Updates: Need to update bus stop details or student OMNY card information within the system? Contact your TL for assistance.
Driver or Attendant Concerns: Experiencing issues with a bus driver or attendant? Your TL is the initial contact for reporting and addressing these concerns.
Session Time Clarifications: Have questions about school session times and their impact on transportation schedules? Your TL can provide clarity.
Bus Safety Drill Guidance: Need support or information on conducting mandatory bus safety drills? Your TL can offer guidance and resources.

Contact Information for Transportation Liaisons (TLs)

Find more Borough/Citywide office contacts.

When to Contact a Bus Company Directly

For real-time, immediate bus location and timing issues, contacting the bus company directly can provide the fastest resolution.

Reach out to the Bus Company when:

Bus Not Arrived (Start or End of Day): If a bus has not arrived at school as scheduled before the school day begins or at dismissal time.
Real-Time Bus Location Needed: You need to know the precise, current location of a specific school bus.
Estimated Pick-Up/Drop-Off Times: To inquire about estimated pick-up or drop-off times for an individual student on a particular route.

You can easily locate the bus company assigned to your school and view route details using the School Route Search tool.

When to Contact the Office of Pupil Transportation (OPT) Customer Service

For more systemic or unresolved transportation issues, or for reporting serious incidents, contacting the OPT Customer Service Center is necessary.

Call OPT’s Customer Service Center at 718-392-8855 for:

Bus Not Arrived (School Day Started/Ended): Similar to contacting the bus company, but for escalating situations or when direct bus company contact hasn’t resolved the issue, especially if the school day has already begun or ended.
Recurring Bus Delays: To report ongoing or frequent delays in bus arrival or pick-up schedules.
Extended Student Ride Times: If you believe a student’s bus ride duration is excessively long.
Bus Equipment Malfunctions: To report any issues related to bus equipment failure or problems.
Bus Overcrowding (Capacity Issues): Similar to TL contact, but for escalation or broader concerns about bus capacity.
Student Placed on Wrong Bus: To report instances of a student being mistakenly placed on the incorrect bus route.
Route Change Requests: To formally request modifications or changes to existing bus routes.
Student Injury on Bus: To report any student injuries that occur on a school bus.
Accident Reporting: To report any school bus accidents.
Serious Issues with Personnel/Companies: To report significant concerns or issues involving a driver, attendant, bus company, parent, or student related to transportation.

Missing Child Protocol: In the event a child is missing, immediately follow the DOE’s protocol for when a child goes missing.

Emergency Situations: For any immediate emergencies that pose a threat to life or safety, always contact 911 first.

NYCSA Account Support for Non-Public Schools

Staff members at non-public schools in New York City play a vital role in facilitating access to transportation information for families whose students utilize NYC Public Schools (NYCPS) busing services. Parents and guardians can leverage the NYC School Bus Caregiver app to track their child’s bus in real-time.

Access to the NYC School Bus Caregiver app is linked to a parent/guardian’s New York City Public Schools Account (NYCSA). Accurate parent/guardian information within the Non-Public Student Information System (NPSIS) is essential for NYCSA account creation. Discrepancies or missing data in NPSIS can hinder a parent’s ability to set up an NYCSA account and subsequently use the NYC School Bus Caregiver app.

Ensuring NYCSA and NYC School Bus Caregiver App Access

Nonpublic schools using the NPSIS application should follow these steps to ensure parents/guardians can access NYCSA and the NYC School Bus Caregiver App:

Verify NYCSA Access: Check if the parent/guardian already has NYCSA access for their child enrolled at your school. If not:
1. Identity Confirmation: Confirm the identity of the adult and verify their status as the student’s parent/guardian.
2. NPSIS Data Accuracy: Ensure parent/guardian information is correctly entered in NPSIS.
3. ACC Generation: If corrections or additions are made, the system will assess NYCSA eligibility and generate a NYCSA Account Creation Code (ACC). This ACC will appear in the NPSIS Parent/Guardian Download report within 24-48 hours of information updates.
4. ACC Distribution: Once the ACC (labeled “Security Code” in the NPSIS report) is available, share it with the eligible parent/guardian. This code is unique to each parent/guardian and student pairing.
5. Missing ACC Support: If the ACC is not present in the NPSIS report, contact [email protected] providing your school’s NPSIS School Code and a list of students affected by the error.
Remember to encrypt any student information when communicating with parents/guardians via email, adhering to Appendix C guidelines regarding student PII.
NYCSA Account Setup (Parent/Guardian Responsibility):
1. Required Information: Parents/guardians will need the ACC and their child’s student ID number. The student ID can be found on transportation registration documents or the student’s IEP.
2. Assistance for Locating Student ID: If the parent/guardian cannot locate the student ID:
  1. Nonpublic schools using NPSIS can contact [email protected] for support.
  2. Schools not using NPSIS can email [email protected] for NYCSA support.
NYC School Bus Caregiver App Access: Parents/guardians use their existing NYCSA username and password to log into the NYC School Bus Caregiver App.

Updating Parent/Guardian Information in NYCSA via NPSIS

NPSIS Login: Access NPSIS using your DOE external user account email address (@doeexternal.nyc) and password. Upon successful login, you’ll be directed to the application homepage.

NPSIS Login Page

Assigning a Parent/Guardian:
1. School Roster Review: Download and review the “School Roster” to check for existing parent/guardian information and ACCs.
2. Adding a Student: If information is missing, use “Add Student” to include the student in your school’s roster.
3. Adding Parent/Guardian Details: When adding a student via “Add Student,” you can simultaneously input parent/guardian information. To update or add parent/guardian details for an existing student, navigate to “Add/Student Update.”
  1. Go to “School Roster.”
  2. Select the student (their record will be hyperlinked).
  3. Click the student record to access “Add/Update Student.”
  4. Here you can modify student details, set transportation pre-information, and add parent/guardian information.
  5. A security code/ACC for eligible adults will be generated within 48 hours. Contact [email protected] for any inquiries.
Updating Existing Parent/Guardian Information:
1. School Roster Review: Download the “School Roster” to verify existing parent/guardian information and ACCs.
2. Information Verification: If the parent/guardian is listed, follow the provided link to review and update their details.
3. Missing or Inaccurate Information:
  1. Go to “School Roster.”
  2. Select the student (record hyperlinked).
  3. Click the student record to access “Add/Update Student.”
  4. Update student information, transportation details, and parent/guardian information as needed.
  5. A security code/ACC for eligible adults will be created within 48 hours. Contact [email protected] for further assistance.

For questions regarding the DOE Caregiver application, contact your school’s Transportation Liaison. For NPSIS or Parent/Guardian Roster screen inquiries, reach out to [email protected].

School Session Times for Public Schools

Each spring, school principals determine the school schedule for the upcoming academic year, ensuring it aligns with contractual obligations and New York State Education Department (NYSED) minimum instructional time requirements. Deviations from traditional contractual schedules require a School-Based Option (SBO) process vote. Refer to the Session Time Memo for comprehensive details.

The finalized school schedule is submitted to OPT via the Session Time Application. Prior to finalization, it undergoes review and approval by both the DOE and the United Federation of Teachers (UFT).

Student busing is scheduled based on each school’s established session times. It’s important to note that busing is not provided for afterschool programs or extracurricular activities.

Once session times and contractual workday schedules are finalized in the Session Time Application, student programming for all instructional time must be entered in the STARS suite of applications. Consult the Elementary, Middle, or High School Academic Policy Guides for further guidance.

Schools have the option to extend their school day beyond mandated hours through partnerships with community-based organizations (CBOs)/non-profits and specific grant opportunities. However, all mandated instruction and services, including those for English language learners and IEP-recommended programs for students with disabilities, must be delivered within the regular, mandated school day.

Requests to modify session times during the school year are reviewed in the order received. However, it’s important to be aware that changes affecting bus routing may not be feasible to accommodate mid-year.

Updates to the Specialized Transportation Record Entry (STRE) Screen in ATS for Public Schools

Stay informed about crucial updates to the “medical alert code” field within the “Specialized Transportation Record Entry (STRE)” screen in the ATS system. A complete list of medical alert codes and their descriptions is available on the ATS Wiki.

Multi-Select Feature: The STRE screen now features a “multi-select” functionality, enabling users to select up to five distinct medical alert codes. For example, if a student’s 504 Plan or IEP recommends limited travel time, climate control/air conditioning, and the need for two seats, users can select “A” for limited travel time, “T” for climate control/air conditioning, and “C” for needs two seats within the STRE screen in ATS.
Handling More Than Five Accommodations: If a student requires more than five transportation accommodations, select “M” for “miscellaneous” and email [email protected] to request a record update reflecting the complete list of accommodations.
New Medical Alert Codes: Three new medical alert codes have been added to the menu: “harness,” “route with fewer students,” and “diabetes.”

Refer to the ATS Wiki for detailed information regarding STRE.

For Preschool Busing

Preschool programs have specific points of contact for transportation inquiries and support.

When to Contact Your Program’s Office

Early Childhood program offices provide essential transportation support for preschool programs.

Contact your program’s Committee on Preschool Special Education (CPSE) office or Early Intervention (EI) regional office in the following situations:

Adult Accompaniment Approval: To confirm if an adult has been approved to accompany a specific child on the bus.
Child Not in Pre-K/EI Rider System: If a child is not appearing in the Pre-K/EI Rider System.

When to Contact a Bus Company (Preschool)

Contact a bus company directly for immediate, route-specific information.

Overcrowded Bus: To report concerns about a preschool bus exceeding capacity.
Route Ridership Copy Request: To request a copy of the bus route ridership list.
Child’s Bus Route Information: For details about a child’s specific bus route, including bus company name/phone number, pick-up/drop-off locations, route sequence, and start date.
Real-Time Bus Location (Preschool): To get the current location of a preschool bus.
Estimated Pick-Up/Drop-Off Times (Preschool): To inquire about estimated times for a specific student.
Bus Not Arrived (Preschool): If a bus has not arrived at the preschool site before the session start or end time.

Use the School Route Search to find bus vendors and route assignments.

When to Contact the Office of Pupil Transportation (OPT) (Preschool)

Call OPT’s customer service center at 718-392-8855 for preschool transportation issues that require escalation or broader resolution.

Application Access and Training (Preschool): For assistance with OPT applications and training related to preschool transportation.
Bus Arriving Late (Preschool): To report buses consistently arriving late to preschool.
Bus Not Arrived for Pick-Up (Preschool): If a bus has failed to arrive for pick-up after the preschool day has started.
Child Left at School (Preschool): In situations where a child has been left at the preschool site after dismissal.
Issues with Personnel/Companies (Preschool): To report problems with a driver, attendant, bus company, parent, or student related to preschool transportation.
Child Riding Beyond Guidelines (Preschool): If a child’s bus ride duration exceeds recommended guidelines.
Child Injured on Bus (Preschool): To report any injuries to a child occurring on a preschool bus.
Child Placed on Wrong Bus (Preschool): Instances of a child being placed on the incorrect preschool bus.
Accident Reporting (Preschool): To report accidents or situations where a student is hurt on a preschool bus.

Emergency Situations (Preschool): In emergencies, always contact 911 immediately.

Requesting Transportation Services

School Responsibilities When Receiving Transportation Services from the NYC-DOE Office of Pupil Transportation

Principals and school personnel play a crucial role in ensuring the safety and efficiency of student transportation services provided by the NYC-DOE Office of Pupil Transportation. Understanding and fulfilling these responsibilities is paramount.

As a school principal requesting OPT-provided bus service, it’s important to acknowledge the following:

Shared Bus Routes: Bus routes may be shared with students from other schools, potentially including students of different ages and genders.
General Education (GE) Buses and Attendants: Stop to School (GE) buses typically do not have attendants on board in addition to the driver.
Bus Discipline Management: Managing student discipline on the bus is the responsibility of the school.
NYS Law and GE Bus Service Limits: New York State law limits OPT-provided GE bus service to a maximum of 180 days within the DOE calendar.
Bus Arrival Windows: Buses may arrive up to 30 minutes before or after the school’s session time. School personnel must be available to supervise and assist students during these arrival and departure windows.
Initial Route Creation and Subsequent Management: OPT creates the initial bus stops and routes, but ongoing management and adjustments become the responsibility of school personnel.
Reporting Transportation Issues: School personnel are expected to promptly report transportation-related issues to their OPT Transportation Liaison or OPT’s Customer Service Unit by phone.
Session Time Approval: Submitted school session times are subject to DOE approval.
Reimbursement Option: Instead of OPT-provided service, schools can explore reimbursement options for bus services managed directly by the school by submitting additional required information.

Regarding Student OMNY Cards:

OMNY Card Distribution and Tracking: School personnel are responsible for receiving and distributing OMNY cards to eligible students based on grade and distance criteria. Meticulous record-keeping of each card’s serial number and the student it’s assigned to is essential.
Lost, Damaged, or Stolen OMNY Cards: Promptly reporting lost, damaged, or stolen OMNY cards for deactivation and replacement is a school responsibility. Delays in this process can affect future OMNY card allocations.

General Student Transportation Data Management:

Accurate Student Transportation Data: Maintaining up-to-date and accurate transportation data for each student in a prescribed manner is an ongoing responsibility of school personnel.

Personnel and Training:

Designated Personnel: Principals must identify specific school personnel who will be responsible for these transportation-related tasks and ensure their availability to participate in transportation training workshops.

To proceed with a transportation service request and accept these conditions, complete and submit a Preliminary Request for Transportation Services. For transportation services to begin at the start of the school year in September, applications must be received by June 1st.

Schools with Academic Classes Past 4 PM

Schools offering academic classes extending beyond 4 PM should consult the After 4PM Information and Application Procedures document. This resource details procedures for requesting bus service from a DOE vendor or seeking reimbursement for using their own vendor.

Regardless of the chosen approach, a completed Transportation Request Form must be submitted to OPT by July 1st for the upcoming school year.

If after-4 PM bus service is approved by OPT, families of participating students must submit a Parent Authorization Letter to the school before their child can ride the bus.

Transportation Reimbursement for Curb-to-School Eligible Students

Specific student groups may be eligible for transportation reimbursement when DOE busing was not available and transportation was paid for by their family, foster care agency, or shelter staff.

Important Note: Transportation to related services as part of a student’s IEP is not reimbursable by OPT. Contact your Committee on Special Education (CSE) for assistance with related services transportation.

Eligible Student Categories for Reimbursement:

Temporary Housing/Foster Care (Grades K-6 & Grades 7-8 with IEP): Students in temporary housing or foster care in grades K-6, or grades 7-8 with an IEP where busing could not be provided.
Foster Care (Grades K-6 & Grades 7-8 without Transportation IEP Mandate): Students in foster care in grades K-6 and grades 7-8 without an IEP specifically mandating transportation, where busing was unavailable.
Curb-to-School No-Show/Service Refusal: Curb-to-school eligible students whose assigned bus experienced a substantial delay resulting in a no-show, or if the bus company otherwise refused to provide service.

Submitting a Transportation Reimbursement Form does not guarantee reimbursement. The DOE reviews each submission and makes the final decision.

Reasons for Reimbursement Denial:

Ineligible Student Category: If the child does not fall into one of the eligible categories. Stop-to-school reimbursement requests for students not in temporary housing or foster care are automatically denied.
Verifiable Bus Delay: If the DOE cannot verify a substantial bus delay based on GPS data for routed students.
Incomplete Form/Missing Receipts: If the reimbursement form is incomplete or lacks required receipts.

Eligible families can complete the Transportation Reimbursement Form.

Reimbursement Timeframe: Effective January 2, 2025, New York City Public Schools will only provide transportation reimbursement for submissions within one year of the travel date. Reimbursement requests submitted after one year from the travel date will not be eligible.

Non-Reimbursable Expenses: Tips and reimbursements for student no-shows are not eligible for reimbursement.

Training and Support Resources

All schools are encouraged to utilize OPT Info Stop, an online platform containing valuable training videos and documents. For additional support and personalized training, schools can contact their assigned transportation liaison or transportation support liaison.

Parent Not At Home Policy

The Office of Pupil Transportation (OPT) has established clear procedures to address situations where a school bus arrives at a student’s stop and no authorized adult is present to receive the student.

Curb-to-School (Special Education) Busing Protocol

For curb-to-school service, standard practice requires parents/guardians to complete an emergency contact form, listing authorized adults who can receive their student from the bus.* Parents can also indicate if a child is permitted to be left unattended. Drivers may request identification before releasing a student.

If an authorized adult is not present for a curb-to-school student who is not authorized to be left unattended, these procedures are followed:

Driver Communication: The driver will contact their dispatch via radio, informing them of the situation. The driver will continue the route, dropping off other students, and then return to the student’s home stop.
Dispatch and OPT Contact: Upon returning to the stop, if an authorized adult is still not present, the driver will radio dispatch. Dispatch will then contact OPT to determine if a pre-existing agreement is in place to return the student to school.
- No Agreement Protocol: If no agreement exists, OPT will make the final decision on when to contact 911. Law enforcement will then determine the appropriate course of action.
Final Stop Procedure: If the student’s stop is the last on the route, the driver will radio dispatch, who will contact OPT to determine a reasonable waiting time before contacting 911.

Stop-to-School (General Education) Busing Protocol

For students receiving stop-to-school service:

Student Drop-Off Flexibility: Students of any age or grade level will generally be allowed to exit the bus at their designated stop unless the school has established a different procedure, or the student informs the driver they wish to remain on board. If students remain on the bus at the route’s end, the driver will return them to their appropriate stops.
Parent Not Present and Student Remains on Bus: If a parent/guardian is not at the stop and the student chooses not to leave the bus, the driver will radio dispatch. Dispatch will contact OPT to determine if a pre-arranged agreement exists to return the student to school.
- No Agreement Protocol (Stop-to-School): If no agreement is in place, OPT will make the final decision regarding when to contact 911, and police will determine the next steps.
Final Stop Procedure (Stop-to-School): If the student’s stop is the final one on the route, the driver will radio dispatch, who will contact OPT to decide on a reasonable waiting time before contacting 911.

* While there is no age restriction on who can meet a student at the bus stop, it is expected that the individual is competent. If a driver or attendant has concerns about the competence of the person meeting the student, they should use their discretion in deciding whether to release the student.

Managing Student OMNY Cards and MetroCards

Schools are responsible for distributing OMNY cards to eligible students at the beginning of each term (fall, spring, and summer). Accurate record-keeping is essential, including logging the serial number of each OMNY card assigned to each student. Schools must also promptly deactivate and replace lost, stolen, or malfunctioning OMNY cards. Failure to manage OMNY cards effectively can lead to delays in receiving future card allocations.

Important Restrictions: OMNY cards should not be given to students who already receive yellow bus transportation. The type of OMNY card issued must match the student’s eligibility level.

Full-fare OMNY Cards: Valid on MTA subways and local buses (excluding express buses). Available for eligible students.

Refer to the Transportation Overview page on the DOE website for additional information or contact your borough transportation liaison.

Requesting Additional OMNY Cards

OPT will only process requests for additional OMNY cards if the Inventory Report in ATS or NPSIS justifies the need. Contact your transportation liaison for questions or to request additional cards.

Types of MetroCards Available for Schools

Type	Description	Grade Level Used by	Additional Information
S4	K – 12 full fare	K –12	4-trips/4-taps per day – valid 24/7
X1	Special Program Exception	K – 12	Two-trip OMNY/two-transfer. Requested by application
MU	Monthly Unlimited	Adults	Requests are sent to the public folders
PO	Purchased 2-trip	Adults	Purchased by schools through FAMIS – OPT ships
WU	Weekly Unlimited	Adults	Requests are sent to the public folders
VY	Contingency	K – 12/Adults	Monthly unlimited MetroCard used during a work stoppage
CT	Certificate for Free Transportation	K – 12	Paper certificate permitting groups of students and accompanying adults free transportation on MTA subways only. One certificate can be used round trip. No more than 40 children and 4 adults, and not less than 5 children and 1 adult. Not valid on weekends or holidays

Special Program OMNY Cards

Special Program OMNY cards are two-trip passes valid from September 1st through June 30th. They allow for two trips and two transfers per day on buses or subways for students participating in school-approved programs.

Authorized Uses for Special Program Two-Trip OMNY Passes:

Independent Travel to After-School Activities: For students who can travel independently on public transit to activities held outside of regular school hours.
Travel Training for Special Education Students: When accompanied by a qualified adult, to provide travel training for special education students who may have difficulty traveling independently with a four-trip OMNY card.
Attendance Intervention and Management: For students requiring attendance intervention and management programs.

Important Note: Special Program two-trip OMNY passes are specifically for students meeting the above conditions. They are not intended for general distribution while awaiting regular four-trip OMNY card shipments, for replacing lost regular cards, or for field trips. Consider whether students already using four-trip cards for school travel truly require an additional two-trip card for program participation when making requests.

Request Special Program OMNY cards by completing the Special Program Application for Student MetroCards.

Schools must maintain a distribution log to track each student receiving a Special Program OMNY card.

Summer School OMNY Cards

The NYC Department of Education (DOE) extends OMNY card usage into the summer for both public and nonpublic schools. OMNY cards are also available for DOE-approved programs, such as internships, even if not located in a school building. Request procedures vary based on school or program type.

Summer OMNY Card Requests for Public and Charter Schools

Public and charter schools must submit summer OMNY card requests through ATS and ensure students are registered with a class and program code in SSPR starting April 18th. All students must be registered in SSPR by May 13th to guarantee OMNY card delivery by the first day of summer school.

Reminder: Only students who received busing or OMNY cards during the regular 10-month school year are eligible to continue using their student OMNY card for summer programs.

Contact your district Transportation Liaison for assistance with ATS procedures.

Summer OMNY Card Requests for Nonpublic Schools

Nonpublic schools must submit their summer school OMNY card requests using the Nonpublic Summer School and Fall Reconciliation Application no later than May 13th.

Reminder: The total card quantity requested should include students attending summer programs who are not on your regular 10-month roster.

Contact your school’s Transportation Liaison for assistance with the reconciliation procedure.

Summer OMNY Card Requests for DOE-Approved Programs (Non-School Building Based)

DOE-approved programs (internships, CBO enrichment activities providing in-person services) can request OMNY cards for all eligible students participating in the program. The OMNY Request Form for DOE-approved Summer Programs must be submitted by June 10th to ensure OMNY cards are available for the first day of your summer program.

Contact the Transportation Liaison for the DOE school district where your program is located for assistance.

Certificate for Free Transportation for Field Trips

OPT provides schools with Certificates of Free Transportation, valid on NYC Transit subways and the Staten Island Railway only (not buses). These certificates can be used for field trips with groups of up to 40 students accompanied by one adult for every 10 students.

Certificate Usage Restrictions:

Valid Monday through Friday only, from 9:30 AM to 3:00 PM.
Not valid on weekends or holidays.

Request Certificates for Free Transportation using this form.

The NYC Department of Youth and Community Development (DYCD) also offers a Complimentary Subway Transportation Program for schools and non-profits serving youth ages 5-18. DYCD certificates are valid Monday-Friday, 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM and 7:00 PM – 11:30 PM, and weekends 9:00 AM – 11:30 PM. Contact DYCD at 800-246-4646 or [email protected] for more information.

Purchased MetroCards

Principals can purchase two-trip MetroCards from OPT by placing a purchase order through FAMIS. Two-trip MetroCards are currently $5.80 each. Crucially, include your school’s OPT code and any delivery instructions in the “Special Delivery Instructions” area of the purchase order, or indicate if you will pick up the cards at OPT.

Expired two-trip MetroCards can be exchanged for new ones if submitted to OPT within 18 months of expiration. Cards expired beyond 18 months are not eligible for exchange. OPT recommends submitting expired cards immediately after expiration to allow for processing time.

Important Exchange Requirement: When returning expired cards for exchange, they must be organized in batch number and serial number order. Cards not submitted in this order cannot be exchanged. Batch and serial numbers are printed on the back of each card below the expiration date.

Mail expired MetroCards with a copy of the original purchase order and receipt to:

NYC DOE Office of Pupil Transportation
Attention: MetroCards
44-36 Vernon Boulevard, 6th Floor
Long Island City, NY 11101

To arrange an in-person exchange appointment, email [email protected]. Do not bring expired cards without a confirmed appointment.

New cards will be sent via courier or can be picked up at OPT once expired cards are received and processed.

Schools purchasing large quantities of MetroCards should consider smaller, more frequent purchases to minimize the number of exchanges needed.

STH & SFC Parent/Guardian MetroCard

Parents/guardians of students in temporary housing or foster care (3K-grade 12) who do not receive busing or are awaiting routing can obtain a MetroCard from their child’s school to accompany them to and from school.

Request these MetroCards by submitting an Application for Parent / STH MetroCard.

Required Information:

School OPT code and DBN (District Borough Number)
Number of STH parent/guardian MetroCards needed

Note: Schools must ensure the student’s housing status in ATS-BIO is updated to accurately reflect their current housing situation.

Field Trips

Field trip rules and procedures are detailed in Chancellor’s Regulation A-670.

Beginning September 19th, schools can book yellow school busing for field trips during the school day. The earliest field trip date is September 26th, and the last trip date is June 13th.

Schools also have the option to charter coach buses for field trips (see details below).

Yellow bus service for field trips is available for students in grades K-12 (school age). For school-age students mandated to use car seats, the school must provide the car seat for the trip.

For Pre-K field trips involving students under 5 years old or weighing 50 pounds or less, car seats are required, and trips must be chartered through a Pre-K vendor.

To request, cancel, edit, or view transportation services for field trips, school personnel must log in to the Online Field Trip System.

Yellow Bus Field Trip Booking Guidelines:

Bookings are subject to bus availability. OPT will strive to accommodate as many trips as possible.
Trips must be within the five boroughs of New York City.
Trips must depart from the school after 9:30 AM and return by 1:30 PM.
Requests must be submitted at least one week prior to the trip date.
Trips cannot include multiple destinations.
Trips cannot be scheduled on NYC public school closure dates (federal holidays) or half-day session dates.

Important Field Trip Dates

September 19th: First day field trips can commence.
June 13th: Last day field trips can commence.

Chartering a Contracted Coach Bus

For field trips outside the parameters of yellow bus field trip service, or when yellow buses are unavailable for trips that do fit within those parameters, schools can procure coach busing services.

Use the FAMIS portal (login required) to issue a purchase order (PO) to a contracted coach bus company for round-trip transportation of students and adults. This covers trips up to six days and five nights within the five boroughs, intrastate, and out-of-state.

Eligible coach bus vendors are determined by borough and trip details. Consult the Coach Bus Rates document to identify the appropriate vendor and issue a PO through FAMIS using object code 669 and the corresponding item number and contract number.

Contracted Coach Bus Companies:

Academy Express, LLC
111 Paterson Avenue
Hoboken, NJ 07030
(201) 420-7000, Ext. 2236
[email protected]
Contact: Francis Tedesco

Accord Bus, LLC
575 Scholes Street
Brooklyn, NY 11237
(212) 973-8282
[email protected]
Contact: Sofia Fayer

J and R Tours LTD
41 Torre Place
Yonkers, NY 10703
(914) 668-5050
[email protected]
Contact: Ralph J. DiDonato

S and J Tour and Bus, Inc.
185 Canal Street, #402
New York, NY 10013
(718) 921-4246
[email protected]
Contact: Mona Jiang

Suburban Trails
750 Somerset Street
New Brunswick, NJ 08901
(732) 249-1100, Ext. 231
[email protected]
Contact: Zarko Zecevic

Chartering a Non-Contracted Coach Bus

If contracted charter bus vendors are unavailable for your trip date, schools may utilize the 3 competitive bids or MWBE process in FAMIS. Remember to adhere to all non-contracted thresholds outlined in the OTPS Standard Operating Procedure Manual (SOPM).

Refer to the Non-Contracted Charter Bus Guidance Document.

Pre-Trip Vendor Documentation Requirements

The School must request the following documentation from the Vendor:

Driver’s 19A Certification: A copy of the driver’s 19A certification, certified by the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles (NYSDMV).
NYSDMV Abstract of Driving Record: A copy of the NYSDMV Abstract of Driving Record indicating the driver’s 19A status is Active-School-Qualified.
ACORD 25 Certificate of Liability Insurance: A copy of the ACORD 25 Certificate of Liability Insurance with the DOE listed as the certificate holder. Minimum liability limits:
1. Commercial general liability insurance: $1,000,000 combined single limit per occurrence (General aggregate and Products-COMP/OP AGG).
2. Automobile liability insurance: $5,000,000 combined single limit per occurrence.
Worker’s Compensation and Employer’s Liability Insurance: Copies of Worker’s Compensation Insurance and Employer’s Liability Insurance in legally prescribed amounts.

Upon receipt of the vendor documentation uploaded to FAMIS, the DSL Finance Team will review the purchase order.

On the Day of the Trip Verification

The school official in charge (Principal or designated Public Schools Employee) must verify:

Driver Identification: The driver possesses the appropriate license and a company-issued identification card.
Vehicle Registration and DOT Sticker: The vehicle has valid registration and a Department of Transportation (DOT) sticker.
Bus Capacity: The bus capacity, indicated near the entry door, is sufficient for the number of passengers.

Post-Trip Procedures

PO Certification: Certify the purchase order (PO) in FAMIS for services rendered on or before June 30, 2024.
Payment Initiation: Submit supporting documentation to accounts payable to initiate payment to the vendor.

Contact your Transportation Liaisons for assistance.

Certificates for Free Transportation for Field Trips (Subway)

Groups of students accompanied by teachers can use free group subway transportation certificates for educational field trips during designated times.

Certificate Restrictions:

Valid for round-trip travel on subways only, not buses.
Valid Monday through Friday only (not weekends or holidays).
Valid between 9:30 AM and 3:00 PM only.
Valid year-round (including summer).
Valid at any NYC Transit System subway station and Staten Island Rapid Transit.
Maximum of 40 students and four adults.
Minimum of five students and one adult.

Request Certificates for Free Transportation using this form.

Schools can combine yellow bus service and subway certificates for a single trip. For example, use yellow bus service for morning travel and subway certificates for a later afternoon return.

Free subway passes for other times and weekends/holidays are available from the NYC Department of Youth & Community Development.

Volunteer Attendants

General Education School Buses

To authorize a volunteer attendant on general education school buses contracted by the NYC Department of Education, the following procedures are required by the Office of Pupil Transportation (OPT).

New York State Education Department regulations mandate that any adult riding a school bus must:

Fingerprinting: Be fingerprinted (waived for current DOE employees already fingerprinted at 44-36 Vernon Boulevard or 65 Court Street).
Medical Examination Form: Have a recent medical examination form on file.
Annual TB Test: Have an annual tuberculosis (TB) test on file.
Training Classes: Complete and pass the same training classes as permanent school bus attendants.
Annual Follow-Up Training: Complete and pass annual follow-up training.

Parents/guardians wishing to volunteer as attendants cannot ride on the same route their child is assigned to.

Schools are responsible for identifying and initially screening volunteer candidates, including interviews and reference checks if the candidate is not well-known to the school. Candidates must be at least 21 years old and must obtain fingerprint clearance before serving on a bus.

Schools must submit this Volunteer Monitor form to Marilyn Mateo at [email protected].

If a school requests an attendant for a route serving multiple schools, the requesting principal must obtain written consent from the principals of all other schools on the route. This consent letter from each school must be: 1) on school letterhead, 2) signed by the principal or assistant principal, 3) include the school’s ATS Code, OPT code, and route number, 4) state awareness of and consent to the attendant assignment. Submit these letters to the Office of Pupil Transportation with the request.

Once cleared, OPT will provide written notification to the school and the bus vendor, including the attendant’s boarding and disembarking stops. Only the approved attendant is authorized to ride that route. No other adults are permitted except in emergencies.

Short-Term Volunteer Attendant Exceptions

OPT allows short-term volunteer attendants in these situations:

Emergencies: During the current school year for up to ten school days.
Summer School Shuttles.

To request a short-term volunteer attendant, submit a Volunteer Monitor form to Marilyn Mateo at [email protected] with:

Volunteer’s name and fingerprint information (fingerprint clearance is mandatory).
Vendor/bus company name.
Route number and morning/afternoon or both.
Boarding stop (for current school year exceptions only).
Disembarking stop (for current school year exceptions only).

Safety Drills

All public, non-public, and charter schools, including preschool sites, are required to conduct at least three School Bus Safety Drills each school year.

2024-25 School Year Bus Safety Drill Dates:

Drill 1: September 7 – September 15 (first seven school days); enter into OSYD portal by October 6th.
Drill 2: November 1 – December 22; enter into OSYD portal by December 22nd.
Drill 3: March 1 – April 26; enter into OSYD portal by April 26th.

How to Conduct a School Bus Safety Drill

School staff should follow these guidelines for safety drills. Even non-bus riders must participate to learn emergency procedures. These directions are adapted for NYC from School Bus Safety Drills Check Sheets by the Pupil Transportation Safety Institute for NYSED.

School leaders can fulfill drill requirements in two ways:

Steps During a School Bus Safety Drill

Review Emergency Procedures:
- Define “emergency”: dangerous situation requiring immediate action.
- Examples: fire, explosion threat, accident, unsafe bus position.
- Emphasize hazards in inclement weather (snow, ice, poor visibility).
- Identify emergency equipment and exits (extinguisher, first aid kit, reflectors).
- Explain dangers of tampering with exits.
- Demonstrate bus stop, secure, and shut-off procedures.
- Explain why knowing bus number and route is important.
- Demonstrate bus radio use.
Review Emergency Evacuation Procedures:
- Practice at least one evacuation type per drill.
- Front Door Evacuation:
  - Shut off/secure bus, activate flashers.
  - Orderly evacuation; student helpers exit first to assist and prevent falls.
  - Leave belongings on bus.
  - Designate safe gathering area outside bus.
  - “Buddy up,” younger students hold hands.
- Rear Door Evacuation:
  - Shut off/secure bus, activate flashers.
  - Orderly, seat-by-seat evacuation for safety.
  - Student helpers “spot” outside rear door, exiting first.
  - “Sit and slide” from emergency door, no jumping or horseplay.
  - Leave belongings on bus.
  - Designate safe gathering area.
  - “Buddy up,” younger students hold hands.
- Split Evacuation:
  - Shut off/secure bus, activate flashers.
  - Front half of bus exits front door, rear half exits rear door (pre-assign zones).
  - Orderly, seat-by-seat evacuation.
  - Rear door helpers exit first to “spot.”
  - Leave belongings on bus.
  - Designate safe gathering area.
  - “Buddy up,” younger students hold hands.
Safe Loading and Unloading Demonstration:
- After evacuation practice, gather students in front of bus for safe crossing demo.
- Point out Danger Zones around the bus.
- Review “Safe to Cross” and “Danger – Go Back!” signals.
- Emphasize never retrieving dropped items near bus or chasing a missed bus.
- Explain dangers of drawstrings or dangling clothing.
Conclude the Drill:
- Thank students for participation and good behavior.
- Thank assisting staff/observers.
- Distribute “Letter to Parents” for students to take home.

Reporting School Bus Drill Completion

Classroom instruction “practice” can be done through role-playing, demonstration, or video, depending on availability. Bus companies or OPT representatives may assist with classroom instruction if scheduled beforehand.

End-of-Year Procedures

Determining Eligibility Changes for ATS Users

Student eligibility for transportation may change as they advance grades. Schools should communicate these changes to families proactively.

Grade 2 to Grade 3: Students with B distance code and no active IEP.
- Change: No longer eligible for yellow bus (OMNY card requestable in fall).
- No Change: Students with distance code C or D, or active IEP (non-transportation mandate).
Grade 6 to Grade 7: Students with C distance code and no active IEP.
- Change: No longer eligible for yellow bus (OMNY card requestable in fall).
- No Change: Students with active IEP (non-transportation mandate).

Use TLST screen data in ATS to identify affected students.

Sort TLST data by grade.
Scan pages for students affected by eligibility changes.
Use Transportation Eligibility Change (Letter to Parent or Guardian) or school memo to inform families.

Restoration of Grade 7 and 8 Busing

School bus service is generally not provided in NYC for grades above 6.

However, prior to 2010-2011, busing was provided to grades 7 and 8 at 54 schools (primarily Staten Island, some Queens and Brooklyn) due to variance V0708.

Recent legislation reinstates busing for schools that utilized this variance in the 2009-10 school year.

If your school did not have busing due to variance V0708 in 2009-10, you are not eligible for grade 7 and 8 busing restoration.

For more information and a school list, see Restoration of Grade 7 and 8 Busing.

School Closures

Weather Event Closures

Non-Public Schools

Non-public and charter schools should follow these guidelines for weather-related and other transportation-impacting emergencies. Schools using DOE bus transportation must have an emergency closure plan on file with OPT, detailing parent notification procedures for closures and delays.

When DOE schools close due to weather, bus transportation is suspended for all schools (including non-public).

If DOE schools remain open but you choose to close your school due to weather:

Notify OPT of school closure via email: [email protected]
- Include name, contact information, and OPT school code(s).
Email must be sent at least 12 business hours in advance.
- This email is not monitored on weekends, federal holidays, or DOE days off.
OPT will notify bus vendors to suspend service for the next day upon message receipt.
Request approval is confirmed only upon written confirmation from OPT.

To request delayed opening or early dismissal:

Notify OPT via email: [email protected]
- Include name, contact information, and OPT school code(s).
Requests for delays or early closures must be submitted by 3 PM the business day before the weather event (excluding weekends, holidays, DOE days off).
- Same-day requests cannot be accommodated.
Request approval is confirmed only upon written confirmation from OPT.

For same-day weather-related closures, contact your bus vendor and inform parents before 5:30 AM.

After vendor and parent notification, notify OPT of the closure via email: [email protected], including contact details, school code(s), and confirmation of vendor and parent notification.

Other Emergency School Closures

For school closures due to building safety or mechanical issues:

Notify OPT Customer Service immediately at 718-392-8855.
- Provide name, contact information, and OPT school code(s).
Notify your Borough/City-wide Office.