BILL NUMBER:  S3242

 TITLE OF BILL :  An act to amend the education law, in relation to
transportation reimbursement of certain costs incurred by licensed
transportation carriers in the city of New York

 PURPOSE :

This bill would authorize the highly successful after 4 pm
transportation program to provide bus drivers in that program with an
alternative fringe benefit of qualified tuition reductions allowable
under federal law.

 SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS :

This bill would amend section 3627 of the education law, which
established the highly successful after 4 pm transportation program,
to include in its currently authorized reimbursements of costs
incurred by licensed transportation carriers pursuant to contracts,
fringe benefits for bus drivers, including, but not limited to,
qualified tuition reductions allowable under federal law.

This bill would further amend section 3623-a of the education law, to
make conforming amendments to such section which governs
transportation aid for schools in New York State.

              

 EXISTING LAW :

Presently, the provisions of the law governing the after 4 pm
transportation law, section 3627 of the education law, are silent with
respect to the types of fringe benefits which may be provided to the
bus drivers under this program.

 JUSTIFICATION :

The after 4 pm transportation program, established in law pursuant to
section 3627 of the education law, provides transportation for all
schools, public and private, who release their students after 4 pm,
and requires that such students be picked up and dropped off within
600 feet (one half block) from their residence.

When this program was placed in law, the statute was silent as to what
types of fringe benefits may be provided to bus drivers under the
program. Costs for this program have been able to be held at a rate
substantially less than standard transportation programs for public
school students, due in large part to contracting flexibility afforded
under the statute, and the ability to provide fringe benefit
incentives, in lieu of salary benefits, including qualified tuition
reeducations for the children or grandchildren of the bus drivers.

This bill would specifically authorize the delivery of such fringe
benefits, as allowed under federal law, in order to assure the
effective and efficient continuation of this highly successful
program.

 FISCAL IMPLICATIONS :

Undetermined

 EFFECTIVE DATE :
This act shall take effect immediately.