At Suburban Bus, we strictly adhere to all New York State Department of Transportation (DOT) and State Education Department (SED) mandates for school bus transportation.

All drivers are required to complete:

• Biannual safety refresher courses (twice per year)
• Ongoing compliance under Article 19-A (DMV), which governs driver qualifications and safety standards
• Regular performance evaluations, including behind-the-wheel assessments conducted annually or biennially

These are state-mandated, industry-wide requirements.

All required evaluations and training courses must be conducted by certified examiners. We are fully equipped in-house with 19A certified examiners and SBDI personnel. In addition, we provide:

• Two-hour safety training sessions twice per year for all drivers and monitors
• Curriculum aligned with New York State Education Department guidelines

Bus Technology & Safety Equipment

We partner with BusPatrol, a leading provider of school bus safety technology.

Key features include:

GPS Tracking
• Real-time GPS monitoring
• Ability to track the exact location of every bus at any time

Camera System (6 Total Cameras)
Our buses are equipped with a comprehensive camera system:

Exterior Cameras (Visual Only):
• Stop-arm camera (captures vehicles illegally passing stopped buses)
• Forward-facing camera
• Right-side camera
• Left-side camera
• Rear-facing camera

Interior Cameras (Audio + Video):
• Driver-facing camera (monitors driver behavior during operation)
• Cabin-facing cameras (captures student activity inside the bus from the middle of the bus and the back of the bus)

Stop-Arm Enforcement
• Cameras activate when:
o Bus lights are engaged
o Stop arm is deployed

• Captures vehicles that illegally pass stopped school buses

Student Safety Measures

• Seat Belts:
o Available on all buses
o Required for special education students (with monitor supervision)

• Monitors on Board:
o Standard routes: typically, 1 monitor per 8–10 students when needed
o Special education routes: increased supervision, including 1:1 monitoring when required

• Behavioral Support:
o In rare cases, external specialists (e.g., behaviorists) may be present
o Focus is on maintaining a safe, controlled environment for all students

Incident Monitoring & Response

• Interior audio/video ensures full visibility into:
o Driver conduct
o Student interactions
o Parent/Guardian discussions with Bus Driver

• If a complaint is received:
o We proactively investigate
o Conduct vehicle observations when necessary
o Address issues immediately

• Stop-arm violations are recorded and reviewed by others.

Vehicle Capacity & Specifications

Our school van buses are designed for flexibility and safety, with capacity based on passenger type:

• Up to 22 children or 12–14 adults, depending on configuration

• Seating is determined by New York State guidelines, including:
o 15 inches of space per child
o Standard 36-inch bench seats
o Depending upon the bench size, there will be a seat belt for each child (whether bench seats 2 or 3)
o Vehicles with up to 30 seats may still be classified as vans under current regulations.

Driver Qualifications & Standards

We maintain strict hiring and retention standards for all drivers:

• Clean driving record required for new hires
• Minor past violations may be considered depending on severity and recency
• Drivers must meet minimum point thresholds, in accordance with New York State requirements

In addition:
• Driver records are continuously monitored under Article 19-A compliance
• Periodic reviews ensure all drivers remain in good standing

Ongoing Oversight

• Driver performance and compliance are regularly reviewed
• Any issues that arise are addressed proactively
• Additional evaluations or retraining may be required if needed

If you value safety and are looking for a great company to work with, inquire today about becoming a driver for Suburban Bus.