Are the buses prepared?

[sbdriver1]

Has anything been done to the buses yet in terms of safety for the drivers and escorts?
Like partitions or anything of that nature?

[driver]

From what I know access a ride & m t a all enter from the front & the drivers  have masks & gloves....I also asked a driver and they clean the bus after......I think if they are doing it that way we should be fine as well. I have not seen any partition for them.....

[Hammer2161]

Not sure about Access a Ride but the MTA has installed plexiglass partitions on most of their buses. And from what I have read they plan on installing them on all there buses.

[OMG]

Don't see why we wouldn't have the same as the MTA or at least something similar, they had six months. Could've built a sky scraper in that time.

[Buzz]

Don't see why we wouldn't have the same as the MTA or at least something similar, they had six months. Could've built a sky scraper in that time.

Ahh c'mon ... even the Empire State Building took 14 months. 

I don't think it's a matter of time as it is $$$ and/or safety concerns.

[OMG]

Plastic drop cloth & duct tape

[WTF]

Don't see why we wouldn't have the same as the MTA or at least something similar, they had six months. Could've built a sky scraper in that time.

Ahh c'mon ... even the Empire State Building took 14 months. 

I don't think it's a matter of time as it is $$$ and/or safety concerns.

Safety concerns? Do you think Pioneer cares if you get sick or you bring the virus home and someone in your family gets sick or God Forbid DIES! I doubt that would make any difference to Pioneer, only that they would need another driver to cover your run! I would like to know if we can hold Pioneer liable for Not having the proper safety equipment in place to protect their employees. Especially since other companies and the city (MTA) have installed driver protection!

[Buzz]

Safety concerns? Do you think Pioneer cares if you get sick or you bring the virus home and someone in your family gets sick or God Forbid DIES! I doubt that would make any difference to Pioneer, only that they would need another driver to cover your run! I would like to know if we can hold Pioneer liable for Not having the proper safety equipment in place to protect their employees. Especially since other companies and the city (MTA) have installed driver protection!

I don't mean concern for OUR safety, I mean impairing vision, flammability (plastic curtain), splintering in a crash (plexiglass), etc.

[WTF]

Todays Update on the Virus.

Of the 85,630 COVID-19 test results that came back on Saturday, 729, or 0.85 percent, were positive, Cuomo said in a release. New York state reported nine new deaths on Sunday, bringing its fatality toll to 25,359, he said.

This could be you or a family member: Parents, Grandparents, Children, Grandchildren or a relative etc..

oh btw you can't spread it to anyone in the office, because "they are protected"!

[OMG]

 Don't want to hear about flammability bullshit, seen plenty of bus seats in flames caused by our children. There's plenty of non-flammable products out there and I don't want to hear about dollar signs otherwise I'll have to question where your loyalty stands. Safety first! If you're putting safety before Dollar Signs you really don't give a crap about your people. No matter what store I go to I see plexiglass between the sales person and the customer, the MTA has 6000 buses with plexiglass between the driver and the passenger. Pioneer has no money and runs were coming back to them, they've had six months! Do the math, I don't give a crap  if it was a piece of plastic or a shower curtain I'd like to see an effort.

[MR.AIRPRESSURE]

https://www.schools.nyc.gov/about-us/news/2020-2021-school-year-calendar

[WigWag16]

Don't want to hear about flammability bullshit, seen plenty of bus seats in flames caused by our children. There's plenty of non-flammable products out there and I don't want to hear about dollar signs otherwise I'll have to question where your loyalty stands. Safety first! If you're putting safety before Dollar Signs you really don't give a crap about your people. No matter what store I go to I see plexiglass between the sales person and the customer, the MTA has 6000 buses with plexiglass between the driver and the passenger. Pioneer has no money and runs were coming back to them, they've had six months! Do the math, I don't give a crap  if it was a piece of plastic or a shower curtain I'd like to see an effort.

From what Owen said at the refresher, we can't just install the plexiglass or curtains without OPT permission or it will be a violation BUT they want us to know how many bandaids are in our kit. I've said it for months the DOE had 6 months to get their shit in order and the worst thing they did was shut us down because things that needed to be done couldn't be done and now that they are somewhat finally giving the bus drivers some attention things that needed to be done are being rushed and they won't be done. Within the last 6 months the DOE, OPT should have had at least the mechanics in the yard installing things on the bus but now that we are in a rush they will blame the bus companies for not being ready and not really focus on the safety of the driver besides "here's your mask and gloves"

[Buzz]

https://www.schools.nyc.gov/about-us/news/2020-2021-school-year-calendar

Been looking for this almost every day. Thanks.

[Hammer2161]

If and it's a big IF we start up on the 21st our school buses will most certainly not have what the MTA buses have. The reality is today is the 7th and the legacy companies such a Pioneer still do not even have a contract. Along with that is the only runs we have are the runs from March and they are most certainly not the runs they expect us to do.

Not sure what the hell they are waiting for but it absolutely sucks.  There are just to many variables that I just don't see them working out. They have no clue where they are going to get the money to avoid laying off 22000 city workers. But Dumblasio and Carranza seem to have no problem spending money where they see fit 

CAN WE SAY ABSOLUTE FAILURE !!!!

[wheresmymoney!]

As if parent's are going to be able to just taje their kids to school on city bus and have to go to work.  No matter hiw hard they try those assholes arent going to be able to get rid of school buses! How come no word on the arbitration?

[Buzz]

How come no word on the arbitration?

I posted about this a couple of days ago. UNofficially the decision was that we're supposed to get our money by Sept. 30. The union still hasn't gotten this in writing from the arbitrator yet so will not make an announcement until they do.

[WigWag16]

How come no word on the arbitration?

I posted about this a couple of days ago. UNofficially the decision was that we're supposed to get our money by Sept. 30. The union still hasn't gotten this in writing from the arbitrator yet so will not make an announcement until they do.

Interesting article with bus visuals
https://www.wsj.com/articles/think-reopening-schools-is-tough-what-about-school-buses-11599471000?reflink=share_mobilewebshare

[wheresmymoney!]

It would be nice to hear from the powers that be so we know some relief is really coming.

[Hammer2161]

I am for sure not the powers that be but I had to go to the yard earlier and although there's enough plexiglass in the offices and a nice new room for the shop steward it wasn't apparent that anything had been done for us drivers. 13 days from the potential start of school and hopefully work and you guessed it NOTHING. Not sure what they are waiting for but for my money it doesn't look like we will be getting much in the way of safety. Truly insane!!!!

[OMG]

Well then they leave us no other choice. Our safety is in our hands. You guys want to buy a shower curtain or something to put around your drivers compartment go ahead and do it. When it comes to picking up and dropping off the children, on pick up, I will pass my group of kids by at least a bus Length, then I will get out and allow them to board. Doing the same at drop off at the schools, I will be the first one out, then walk away and then get in and inspect the bus when they all have disembarked. I don't want to hear anything about violations or anything remotely relating to violations or fire hazards or anything like that, no one is responsible for keeping me safe but me just as long as I do my job.

[Hammer2161]

Unfortunately it looks like it will be up to us if we make it back to work on the 21st. But as of this afternoon no news on the updated runs or safety guidelines from the BOE OR DUMBLASIO.

[WigWag16]

I am for sure not the powers that be but I had to go to the yard earlier and although there's enough plexiglass in the offices and a nice new room for the shop steward it wasn't apparent that anything had been done for us drivers. 13 days from the potential start of school and hopefully work and you guessed it NOTHING. Not sure what they are waiting for but for my money it doesn't look like we will be getting much in the way of safety. Truly insane!!!!

I'm telling you it's going to be here's your masks(for students), gloves and Lysol for yourself oh and you'll have to supply your own mask for yourself....from what I was told at my refresher they need OPT permission to install plexiglass/curtains on buses or it will
Be a violations....

[OMG]

I personally am not waiting for permission to keep myself safe, as far as I'm concerned I don't need permission. And may God  be my witness, if I get a violation or I'm harassed by a inspector I'm gonna take the violation and shove it down his throat then I'll bring it to the office and have them pay it, because I'm not paying a damn dime to keep myself safe or taking precautions to keep myself safe.I have a cousin in Jersey who is been on a respirator for the past three weeks, and he's only 51 years old.

[Buzz]

Well then they leave us no other choice. Our safety is in our hands. You guys want to buy a shower curtain or something to put around your drivers compartment go ahead and do it. When it comes to picking up and dropping off the children, on pick up, I will pass my group of kids by at least a bus Length, then I will get out and allow them to board. Doing the same at drop off at the schools, I will be the first one out, then walk away and then get in and inspect the bus when they all have disembarked. I don't want to hear anything about violations or anything remotely relating to violations or fire hazards or anything like that, no one is responsible for keeping me safe but me just as long as I do my job.

Quitting might be more honorable than getting fired. Sorry but you're asking for it.

[wheresmymoney!]

Just make sure you have your mask on and the kids have them on and use  hand sanitizer i think we will be fine with those precautions in place.

[Hammer2161]

That's basically all that the drivers and matrons can do if they work on vans especially wheel chair runs. I know doing wheel chairs was my choice and I understand the situation I will be stepping back into should we return to work.

But I agree with Buzz if the safety precautions the BOE and Pioneer put in place are not to your standards then retiring or stepping down may be better then potentially getting yourself fired.

In the end you need to be comfortable with the situation as it it presented to you. But I would not think there will be much tolerance for a total disregard for the regulations set forth.

Do as you wish but be man or woman enough to own your own shit (choices). Because I would believe there will be consequences.

[Buzz]

In the end you need to be comfortable with the situation as it it presented to you. But I would not think there will be much tolerance for a total disregard for the regulations set forth.

And getting off the bus while kids are loading/unloading will get him suspended if not decertified.

[OMG]

Yeah, well I'll turn my tires and pump the air out to some what cover my ass. But just like the teachers and everyone in our dispatch office surrounded in plexiglass including Neal, I'd like to feel safe.