557 New Hempstead Rd, Spring Valley NY 10977

Brian Molloy, Director 

(845) 577-6490

Long before most of us are awake, the school day is beginning for the East Ramapo Transportation Department.

As the sun rises over the horizon, East Ramapo's bus drivers start their day by conducting pre-trip inspections of each of their vehicles.  It is only 6:00 AM, but they are beginning a day that will extend until well after the sun has set.

The first buses pull out shortly before 6:30AM to begin picking up high school students throughout the 30 square miles that make up the East Ramapo Central School District.  They continue running throughout the day, picking up and delivering children to one of the District's fifteen public schools, or one of the dozens of private schools.  The entire process is then reversed as the students return home.

Given the changing weather, heavy traffic conditions, and numerous schools with multiple arrivals and dismissals, it is easy to see the complexities that the Transportation Department deals with every day of every school year as they safely transport our students.

THE DISTRICT

East Ramapo Central School District's 30 square miles encompasses the South Central portion of Rockland County and includes the towns of Spring Valley, Monsey and portions of Pomona, Suffern, Nanuet, New City and Pearl River.

The District first opened its doors in 1952, serving  2,200 students.  The student population continues to grow.  At the start of 2004/05 school year, the Transportation Department accommodates the busing needs of more than 25,000 students.

As the District has changed, the Transportation Department has remained a reliable part of the educational support system.  East Ramapo owns and operates a fleet of 90 buses, and is housed at their Maintenance and parking facility on New Hempstead Road.  East Ramapo also contracts with Chestnut Ridge Transportation and Student Bus Company to assist with this monumental task.  Each Contractor maintains their own facilities to house and maintain their large fleets.

The District and its Contractors have a bus replacement program which was started several years ago to provide for the replacement of aging buses with safer, fuel-efficient, and more reliable new buses.  These new buses reflect the continuing efforts of the District to ensure that the school bus is the safest vehicle in the country.  The New York State Department of Transportation oversees school bus construction standards and modifications, school bus inspections (every six months or less), school bus accident investigations and school bus labor hours.

Concern for the safety of our children can be found in the construction of the school bus with its high back seats and familiar blinking lights.  East Ramapo buses include stop arms that extend out from the driver's side of the bus and combine with red-flashing lights and stop sign to alert drivers in front and behind the school bus.