DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Ruth Perez
Transportation Manager

The Department of Transportation provides transportation to eligible Passaic students pursuant to New Jersey State Law (N.J.S.A. 18A:39-1 et.seq., N.J.S.A. 18A:46-23 and appropriate New Jersey Administrative Code).

A. Students Who are Transported

Pursuant to state law, only eligible special education students, handicapped students, students attending specialized schools, students attending state approved charter schools, homeless students and DCPP placed students receive transportation to and from school. The district does have a medical transportation policy which is used when the need is certified by the Passaic Board of Education Health Services Department.

B. Remote from School
The city of Passaic is 3.2 square miles in area. No student in Passaic has to walk more than two (2) miles to their public school; therefore, the district does not provide transportation to any student other than those mandated by law.
State law (N.J.S.A. 18A:39-1) mandates transportation to be provided to:

• Elementary students who live more than two (2) miles from their public school.
• Secondary students who live more than 2 ½ miles from their public school.

C. Transportation provided by bus companies
Passaic Public Schools does not own any school buses nor employ any bus drivers. All transportation for students is provided by private school bus transportation companies. The district enters into contract with the companies through the competitive bid and quotation process in full accordance with New Jersey State Law.

D. Joint transportation routes
The Department of Transportation aggressively seeks joint transportation routes where Passaic and another school district share buses and costs. Most of the joint routes are coordinated through the Passaic County Educational Services Commission.

E. Transportation costs
The district enters into contracts with private transportation companies to provide transportation for students. The district uses the competitive bid and quotation process and awards the contract to the company who submits the lowest price for each route.

F. Department of Transportation Activities
The Department of Transportation coordinates all activities for the transportation of students. It has produced the following manuals/handbooks:

• Contractors Manual for Bus Companies
• Manual for Schools
• Manual for Parents
• Child Study Team Handbook

The manuals/handbooks are designed so that everyone involved in the transportation process understands their rights and responsibilities.

G.  Charter School Transportation
In accordance with N.J.S.A. 18A:36A-13 transportation must be provided to students attending a Charter School which is remote from the student’s home or make payment in lieu of transportation to the parent, whichever is less costly.