Policy 5731

TRANSPORTATION
5731 IDLING SCHOOL BUSES ON SCHOOL GROUNDS


The District recognizes the need to promote the health and safety of District students and staff and to protect the environment from harmful emissions found in bus and vehicle exhaust. The District will ensure that each driver of a school bus or other vehicle owned, leased, or contracted for by the District turns off the engine of the bus or vehicle while waiting for passengers to load or off load on school grounds, or while the vehicle is parked or standing on school grounds or in front of or adjacent to any school. Rather than waiting for all buses to arrive before loading or unloading, individual buses will be promptly loaded and unloaded to minimize idling. 

Exceptions

Unless otherwise required by state or local law, the idling of a school bus or vehicle engine may be permitted to the extent necessary to achieve the following purposes:

a) For mechanical work;
b) To maintain an appropriate temperature for passenger comfort and/or safety; or
c) In emergency evacuations and/or where necessary to operate wheelchair lifts.

Private Vendor Transportation Contracts

All contracts for pupil transportation services between the District and a private vendor will include a provision requiring the vendor's compliance with the provisions of reducing idling in accordance with Commissioner's regulations.



Policy References:
Education Law § 3637
Vehicle and Traffic Law § 142
8 NYCRR § 156.3


Adopted: 6/22/99
Revised: 9/6/22, 2/28/23

Policy 5731