The Brian Lehrer Show NYC School Bus Woes
Nov 20, 2025
Jessica Gould, an education reporter for WNYC and Gothamist, dives into the systemic failures plaguing New York City's school bus system. She reveals the reasons behind the lack of a new contract for 46 years and shares heart-wrenching stories from families impacted by unreliable services. Gould discusses the disproportionate reliance of vulnerable students on these buses, communication breakdowns during emergencies, and the ongoing staffing crisis affecting service quality. She critiques both immediate fixes and the need for comprehensive reforms to address these challenges.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Parents Left Uninformed After Bus Crash
- A parent learned his child and others were taken to Elmhurst Hospital after a bus crash only from a text from the child.
- Jessica Gould reported that parents said the bus company did not notify them and received a city violation for lack of communication.
Old Contract Stems From Labor Legal Block
- The city has kept the same core bus contract for 46 years to avoid a labor dispute tied to hiring protections.
- Jessica Gould explained courts blocked preferred labor provisions, so Albany legislation is needed to rewrite competitive contracts.
Special‑Needs Family’s Daily Bus Struggle
- A caller described chronic cancellations, early arrivals, and no clear feedback channel when organizing special-needs pickups.
- The caller said his mother constantly juggles calls with companies and therapists because the bus service is inconsistent.