Enhancing efficiency and safety in student transportation will require changes ranging from extending school bus life to cooperative ventures among local school districts, according to a report issued last week by the New Jersey Commission on Business Efficiency in the Public Schools.

“…a viable busing system is essential for the continued educational success of our students,” said Senator Joseph V. Doria, commission chairman.  “So many of New Jersey’s public and private school students rely on busing to get them to and from school.”

The February 27 report, “Finding the Road: Selected Issues in New Jersey Pupil Transportation,” was issued by the Commission’s Transportation Task Force. It outlines pressing issues facing student transportation in New Jersey and offers the commission’s recommendations for promoting efficiency and safety.

The report recommends–

• A uniform retirement age for school buses
  
  
• Cooperative transportation proposals between adjoining districts
  
  
• Contracting reforms
  
  
• A study of two-way communications on buses for emergency use
  
  
• Driver and bus aide training standards issued by the Department of Education for those involved in transporting disabled or special needs students

Senator Doria said that inefficiency in busing programs contributes to rising property taxes, because the cost of busing ultimately falls on the backs of property taxpayers. In addition, he said that the uniform training component for drivers and bus aides, who transport special needs students is long overdue and is an essential safety issue that needs to be addressed.

“When you’re handling special needs kids, that’s a whole different skill set above and beyond your traditional bus endorsement or commercial driver’s licenses,” Doria stated. “Leaving the care of special needs students to untrained drivers is just asking for trouble.”

Senator Doria added that, in some instances, local action will be needed to ensure the continued viability of school busing.

“A successful school bus program requires state and local governments acting as willing partners,” said Senator Doria. “Working together, we can ensure school busing services are efficient, effective and safe, but separately, we can only achieve so much.”