MTA Way Cheaper than 1 Billion for School Buses

[CPBO]

The city and state fork over a staggering $1 billion a year to move schoolkids on yellow buses, while stiffing the MTA on its student MetroCard program -- which is far less expensive and significantly more efficient.

 

In fact, while MetroCards help move four times as many students at one-fifth of the cost of school buses, MTA officials say they have to cancel the program because city and state officials won't pay for its increasing expenses.

 

The agency said it spends about $214 million to transport 585,000 students for free every year, with the city and state putting in only $45 million and $25 million respectively.

 

 

YOU DO THE MATH: Using school buses costs the city vastly more than free MetroCards.

Meanwhile, the Education Department's $1 billion school-bus program moves only about 140,000 students, city statistics show.

 

That's $786 million more for 445,000 fewer students.

 

But city officials insist that money can't be taken from one group and given to the other.

 

"Busing requirements are set by state law. The city does not have the option of using busing money to fund MetroCards," said one mayoral aide.

 

The DOE determines who is eligible for both yellow bus and free MTA services.

 

Cutting student MetroCards has set off a firestorm of criticism of state, city and MTA officials.

 

Lawmakers so far haven't agreed upon a way to fund the MetroCard program, drawing protests nearly every week.

 

"Student MetroCards are an unbelievable savings for the city and state. If they had to ship older students to school on yellow buses, the cost would be astronomical," said Gene Russianoff, of the Straphangers Campaign.

 

Yellow buses also carry a small number of private-school students.

 

There are 2,068 bus routes for 83,706 students, who are picked up at bus stops. There are also 4,658 bus routes for 56,778 special-education students, who are picked up and dropped off at home.

 

The MTA is the only transit system in the country that helps pay for student transportation to and from school.

 

Agency chief Jay Walder said he'd consider reinstating the program if lawmakers find a better way to fund it.

 

tom.namako@nypost.com

[DOB2RTO]

Jay Walder is correct. Lawmakers need to find a better way to fund the program. He should have added, without the MTA paying for it. Those cost to student ratio for cheese bus vs. Metrocard, is mind boggling..........

[mark1447]

Wow $1 billion for School bus, but nothing to t/a? Man i wish there was away for the city to pay for the t/a...