District reviews contractor capacity and bus-tracking tools after reports of overcrowding and late buses
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Summary
Parents reported overcrowded buses, children sitting on floors, unreliable tracking app data and late runs. District officials said they are reviewing contractor routing, will pilot improved tracking software when available and adjusted late-bus schedules to reflect realistic turn times.
Parents at the forum reported overloaded buses and unreliable real-time information from third-party tracking software. "My daughters are sitting on the floor of the bus because the bus is overpacked," resident Jonathan Aminoff said, describing an overcrowding incident on a route to Far Rockaway.
District presenters said most transportation is contracted and that the district relies on its contractor, We Transport, and routing software vendors to operate trips outside the district. Administration noted the district operates 13 of its own buses for in-district and special-education needs but contracts the majority of service. The district also said the contractor's tracking solution used by parents (identified at the forum as the Where's My Kid? app) "does not work as advertised" for real-time tracking; administrators said a vendor partner (Beacon/"b mobility" referenced) is developing improved software and the district will pilot in-bus tracking when it becomes available.
On late runs and schedule realism, the administration gave a direct example: "A 04:00 bus can't be a 04:00 bus if it's only left Lake Elementary School at 03:45," Dr. Bossa said. As a result of operational constraints, some late buses were rescheduled (the district cited changing late runs from 4:00 to 4:15 to allow safe turn times), and staff said they will continue to adjust schedules and staffing.
What the district will review: administrators said they are evaluating routing efficiency with School Source Technologies, reviewing contractor capacity and staffing (including the planned hire for a permanent transportation supervisor), and pursuing technology pilots to improve parent notifications. Officials asked parents to report overcrowding, late arrivals and other service failures through the district's online form so the transportation office can investigate specific incidents with the contractor and drivers.
This account is based on statements at the Great Neck transportation forum from district officials and parents, including Jonathan Aminoff and student and parent commenters who described late buses and unreliable app data.
