Here's the Problem with the Runs

[Buzz]

As just explained to me by Ernie, it's not that Pioneer does not have runs. They have the same runs as last year (except for losing 3 special ed runs). The problem is that they are the same as they were in March ... which is completely wrong. OPT has not made corrections to reflect changes in ridership, social distancing and changes in school times which would make many runs unworkable.

The runs you hear of other companies telling their drivers/matrons to pick up are useless garbage because they are the same non-updated runs. Pioneer sees no sense in doing this since those runs would be worthless pieces of paper.  Perhaps other companies are doing it out of ignorance, or possibly to boost morale, but there is no logical reason to be doing so.

His advice is to pay no attention to what other companies are doing. When OPT updates Pioneer's runs, which is all we should be concerned with, we will be duly advised.

Until then, the best we could do for our sanity is to be patient. Neither we nor Pioneer has any control over what OPT does.

[rc1790]

Do we have an anticipated start date to prepare? The teachers have start dates with inaccurate classes.
If the runs don't work it is not the problem of the drivers. Catholic schools are opening next week. Are they going to tell us Tuesday to start our runs Wednesday? If they have the runs the company must have a contract.

[Buzz]

Do we have an anticipated start date to prepare? The teachers have start dates with inaccurate classes.
If the runs don't work it is not the problem of the drivers. Catholic schools are opening next week. Are they going to tell us Tuesday to start our runs Wednesday? If they have the runs the company must have a contract.

OPT has still not told the company if they are going to provide service for schools before the 21st. They honestly have no fucking idea what they are doing and I have serious reservations as to whether they'll have their act together by that date.

[rc1790]

Thanks Buzz.

[PROUD MEMBER]

FYI I don't know if this has already been posted but it was just sent to me.

NYC DOE parents on (CCSE) OPT bus update:
1. Bus contracts being signed by end of week, then to city hall to approve.
2. 10K busses, 6k doe inspected this week.
3. All 10k then inspected by the state after
4. Each bus company must bring personal back
Drivers, mechanics, admin. Must be re-vetted, background checked, fingerprinted etc.
5. Busses are at 25% capacity *includes paras, nurses, matron and driver in that total number
6. All busses have two step cleaning 1. Deep with CDC approved chemicals ie. sprayed (list of chemicals will be posted) 2. Disinfection w. Electrostatic machines, same at MTA's model.
7. There will not be enough busses, IEP will take priority. Alternative metrocard and travel reimbursement forms online will be offered.
8. No temperatures taken, mask are required.
9. Bus routing info will be uploaded "very soon"
10. GPS is npt available until 21-22 school year.
11. If driver etc tests positive, will notify parent through covid contact tracing team (they are not being mandated or random tested 4 covid).
12. & Wheelchair accessibility may be limited.

[Hammer2161]

Although I respect that, I doubt OPT will get the routes updated and out to the companies in time for the projected start of school. Not sure if they plan on giving catholic schools service on the 9th but we are surely running out of time.

And when more and more parents opt for online learning because they won't give authorization to random test there children for covid. What will they do then, unfortunately I think we will end up running with the runs that have been provide. And as usual they will expect us to make it work.

This gets more and more disheartening with every passing moment.

[Hammer2161]

Just read what PROUD MEMBER posted that will surely further complicate things !!!! 

[Buzz]

FYI I don't know if this has already been posted but it was just sent to me.

NYC DOE parents on (CCSE) OPT bus update:
1. Bus contracts being signed by end of week, then to city hall to approve.
2. 10K busses, 6k doe inspected this week.
3. All 10k then inspected by the state after
4. Each bus company must bring personal back
Drivers, mechanics, admin. Must be re-vetted, background checked, fingerprinted etc.
5. Busses are at 25% capacity *includes paras, nurses, matron and driver in that total number
6. All busses have two step cleaning 1. Deep with CDC approved chemicals ie. sprayed (list of chemicals will be posted) 2. Disinfection w. Electrostatic machines, same at MTA's model.
7. There will not be enough busses, IEP will take priority. Alternative metrocard and travel reimbursement forms online will be offered.
8. No temperatures taken, mask are required.
9. Bus routing info will be uploaded "very soon"
10. GPS is npt available until 21-22 school year.
11. If driver etc tests positive, will notify parent through covid contact tracing team (they are not being mandated or random tested 4 covid).
12. & Wheelchair accessibility may be limited.

Not sure where whomever you got this from is getting it but it does not sound at all accurate.

[PROUD MEMBER]

As far as my post I'm just passing on information that was sent to me from a AP. If it's inaccurate I apologize. Having said that after reading it again all 12 items are nothing that haven't been talked about on this site and other sites already and all 12 seem accurate at least to me.