Capital Region BOCES will conduct transportation activities that are consistent with state-issued public transit guidance and New York State Education Department’s School Reopening guidelines. Students, drivers and staff must wear acceptable face coverings at all times on school transportation (e.g., entering, exiting, and seated) and should maintain appropriate social distancing to the extent practicable. If students need a face covering they will be provided with one by the driver or monitor prior to entering the vehicle.
Students whose physical or mental health would be impaired by wearing a face covering are not required to do so, but must be appropriately socially distanced.
Members of the same household may be seated within six feet of each other. To reduce density on buses, students in Career & Technical School programs will be encouraged to drive to our career and technical education centers for classes.
All Capital Region BOCES transportation that is used by students and contract carriers will be cleaned/disinfected once a day. High contact areas will be wiped down after runs. Capital Region BOCES transportation shall not be equipped with hand sanitizer due to its combustible composition and potential liability to the carrier or BOCES. School bus drivers, monitors and attendants must not carry personal bottles of hand sanitizer with them on school buses.
Wheelchair school buses will configure wheelchair placement to ensure social distancing of six feet.
All students are entitled to transportation by their home district to the extent required by law. Transportation departments do not have the ability or the right to deny transportation for children who are in foster care, homeless or attend private or charter schools. Parents who may have missed the deadline to request out-of-district transportation due to a reasonable excuse may file a 310 appeal with the Commissioner of Education.
School Transportation Staff
School vehicle drivers, monitors, attendants and mechanics are required to perform a self-health assessment for symptoms of COVID-19 before arriving at work. If personnel are experiencing any of the symptoms of COVID-19, they will notify their employer must immediately notify their supervisor, hrcovid19@neric.org and and seek medical attention.
School vehicle drivers, monitors, attendants and mechanics must wear a face covering along with an optional face shield.
Transportation staff (drivers, monitors, attendants, mechanics and cleaners) will be trained on the proper use of personal protective equipment (PPE) and the signs and symptoms of COVID-19.
Transportation departments/carriers will need to provide personal protective equipment (PPE), such as face coverings and gloves, for drivers, monitors and attendants in buses, as well as hand sanitizer for all staff in their transportation locations, such as dispatch offices, employee lunch/break rooms and/or bus garages. Staff should wash their hands with soap and water before and after each run to remain healthy and prevent the spread infection.
Drivers, monitors and attendants who have direct physical contact with children must wear gloves.
For more information about training protocol for students and staff and how transportation information will be communicated, visit the Communication/Family and Community Engagement section of our reopening plan.