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A potential school bus strike in New York City has been averted for now, as over half of the city's contracted bus companies agreed to emergency extensions late Thursday. This agreement prevents layoffs and ensures that buses will continue to run on Monday, affecting approximately 150,000 students. The extensions are part of a temporary solution while negotiations continue for a long-term contract.
The city’s education panel recently rejected a proposed five-year contract due to concerns over service issues like late pickups and broken air conditioning. According to Fox 5 New York, the panel is seeking improvements in service standards before agreeing to a long-term deal.
The emergency extensions are valid for 30 days, during which time the bus companies, the Department of Education, and the Mayor’s Office hope to finalize a contract. A lawyer representing the bus companies expressed optimism about reaching an agreement by the next Panel for Education Policy (PEP) meeting in November, as reported by ABC7 New York.
Families have been advised to prepare for potential disruptions in the coming weeks. If service is interrupted, the city plans to provide affected students and one caregiver with free OMNY cards and rideshare options, especially for students with special needs or those in temporary housing, according to PIX11 News.
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