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About the Transportation department
We proudly transport Niskayuna students to and from school, athletic events, and other activities safely and efficiently.
Requesting a Transportation Change
Childcare / Special Transportation Requests
Transportation will be provided to childcare locations defined as “Licensed Daycare Centers” within school district boundaries and to non-licensed daycare centers/babysitters within the attendance zone of the student’s school.
In the case of joint parental custody, where both parents live within the same school zone of attendance, transportation may be provided to/from either home; however the schedule for each day of the week must be the same throughout the school year and will not alternate between weeks or months (etc.).
Requests submitted during the school year may take up to two weeks to become effective.
Frequently Asked Questions About Student Transportation
Q: My child’s bus ride seems very long, and I’m only five minutes from school. What can be done about that?
A: All our elementary routes range from 30-50 minutes long, depending on the school and pick up area. However, the time from any home directly to school is typically 5-10 minutes or less. We are transporting an average of 65 students per bus, sometimes making 25 stops. We recognize that in our community everyone lives relatively close to the school, while the nature of riding the bus is that someone always has to be first and someone has to be last.
Q: What qualifications do bus drivers need?
Before they ever transport a single student, the bus driver has:
- Undergone over 70 hours of training.
- Been fingerprinted (criminal background check) and drug tested.
- Taken a DMV road test, followed by a Niskayuna Central School District road test.
- Taken a physical performance test that tests coordination and strength.
- Had a physical.
After all this, every year they do a defensive driving review, a physical, and two mandated driver refreshers. Bus drivers are subject to random drug and alcohol testing. Every other year, drivers must take the road test, physical performance test and written test.
Q: My child tells me that the older kids in the back of the bus are using bad language, and the bus driver does nothing about it. Why doesn’t the driver do something?
A: It is likely that the driver can’t hear what is going on in the back of the bus. A bus is a very noisy environment under the best circumstances and it is very hard for the driver to hear what is happening past the first few rows of seats. Drivers are usually made aware of this behavior by the students telling them what is happening and then they follow-up with the students and/or school administration.
Q: Another student hit my child, and my child retaliated and hit back. The driver only saw my child, and made him come up front. Is that fair?
A: The driver is charged with transporting students safely. The driver must deal with other motorists as well as picking up or dropping off students. Therefore, drivers must make quick judgments in order to keep the bus riding peacefully and safely. Their focus is getting students to and from school safely and on time, and therefore cannot get into lengthy discussions about who did what. After students have been safely transported, is the time to talk through any issues with the driver, transportation director, and/or school administration.
Q: My child plays a large instrument and some days it seems very difficult to find room on the bus for this. What should we do?
A: We try to accommodate everyone, but we can’t add another bus because musical instruments take up a large number of seats. Generally, if the bus is full, and the item doesn’t fit on a child’s lap, parents should make other arrangements to get their child or the instrument to school.
- View additional Frequently Asked Questions About Student Transportation sorted by topic.
Bus Stops & Request for Bus Stop Changes
How Bus Stops Are Decided
Bus stops are assigned to students based on the proximity of a student’s residence to a safe location that allows for walking and congregating while maintaining overall route efficiency. It is not possible to route buses and locate stops according to the sight lines from individual student residences. The district guarantees door-to-door transportation for kindergarten students only.
Based on our district transportation policy, students are expected to travel up to a certain distance to their bus stop, depending on grade level:
- Elementary – Up to 0.1 mile
- Middle school – Up to 0.2 mile
- High school – Up to 0.3 mile
Families are responsible for the safety of their students to and from the bus stop. Buses will only stop for pick-up or drop-off at assigned stops.
Bus Stop Change Requests
Families are provided with their child’s bus stop in August. Families who would like to request a change to their bus stop should start the process by completing the Niskayuna bus stop change request form.
- Complete a Bus Stop Change Request Form.
Requests to change bus stops are generally decided on factors that include: compliance with policy, safety, consistency, ability of the bus to get to school in a timely manner. The transportation department will evaluate the information and communicate a decision to the family within 10 business days.
Families who would like to appeal the transportation department decision may do so should submit the appeal request in writing to:
Assistant Superintendent of Business & Operations Matt Leon
District Office
1430 Balltown Road
Niskayuna, NY 123029
Decisions on appeals will be provided in a timely manner.
The Rules of Riding the Bus
The rules for riding the bus should be read by all parents and discussed with their children. It should be emphasized that riding the bus is a privilege, and that the privilege can be revoked if students do not follow the rules. If all the rules are followed, the school bus is one of the safest vehicles on the road.
Transportation to Non-Public Schools
Transportation will be provided to non-public schools for students who live within 15 miles of the school. Students who live 15 miles or more to a non-public school already serviced by Niskayuna Central School’s Transportation System, may receive transportation to the school from a centralized pick up point as long as there are eligible students on the buses who live within the 15 mile distance.
- Complete the Transportation Request to Non-Public Schools Form.
Please be advised when the Niskayuna Central School District is closed for holidays or during school recess periods we will not be providing transportation to non-public schools.
School Closings and Delays Due to Inclement Weather
The Niskayuna Central School District has established protocols for deciding whether to close or delay school or cancel activities due to snow or other inclement weather. The district uses several information channels to communicate this information with parents and community members.
- View more information about school closings and delays.
Join our Transportation Department!
Do you have a passion for safety and a heart for making a difference? If you’re looking for a rewarding role that aligns perfectly with the school calendar—including holidays off—driving a school bus is the perfect fit.
- Competitive Pay: Starting at $25.24/hour for permanent drivers and $24.50/hour for substitutes.
- Quality Equipment: Take pride in operating our standardized, low-mileage and meticulously maintained fleet.
- Team Environment: Join a dedicated team of professionals who are motivated by a shared mission.
Consider joining our team today and be the best part of a student’s day!