Majority Leader Ruiz Pushes for safe, affordable, and flexible school transportation options for New Jersey's most vulnerable children
TRENTON, N.J., Oct. 27, 2026 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- School transportation options in New Jersey are limited compared to an overwhelming majority of states, and that is especially true for the most at-risk children -- those with special needs, students in foster care, and students who are homeless. In fact, 41 other states, including neighboring Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Delaware, have built legal and oversight frameworks to safely and affordably transport students with disabilities and those experiencing homelessness, offering best practices New Jersey needs to adopt. Being this far behind comes at a cost to these students and to taxpayers.
A new coalition, New Jersey Friends of Affordable, Safe Student Transportation (NJ FASST), announced today that it will advocate for student transportation options that improve safety for children, create budget efficiencies for school districts while at the same time providing flexibility for the districts. NJ FASST is a coalition of educators, parents, nonprofits, small businesses and taxpayers who want to update New Jersey's outdated transportation system, especially for children most in need of safe and affordable options.
"For students with disabilities, a dependable ride to school is where learning begins, and families need transportation options flexible enough to fit their children's needs. At NJASEPS, we believe all children should have access to the support and opportunities they need to succeed, and the NJ FASST coalition marks an important step toward advancing safe and affordable transportation for all students," said John J. Mulholland, Jr., CEO, New Jersey Association of Special Education Partner Schools (NJASEPS).
Today's transportation reality includes students who require individualized routes due to placement, distance, or circumstance. For instance, a student with significant disabilities whose Individualized Education Program (IEP) requires a specialized placement far from home in a school district different from the one where the student lives. That student may need door-to-door service in a smaller vehicle, with a trained aide on board—a trip that cannot be served by a standard yellow bus route. Similarly, for a student whose placement changes mid-year due to a change in his or her needs, the district must respond quickly, safely, and cost-effectively. This is the daily reality for thousands of students across New Jersey, and the state's transportation framework is currently not adequately equipped to serve them.
NJ FASST applauds Senate Majority Leader Teresa Ruiz's leadership on this issue and her recently introduced bill, S.4801/A.5701, which would address a number of these challenges. This new bill would allow school districts, education service commissions, county special services districts, and jointure commissions to contract with alternative transportation providers who meet high safety standards for both drivers and vehicles.
"Every child deserves a safe, reliable ride to school, no matter where they live or what their circumstances are," said Senate Majority Leader M. Teresa Ruiz (D-Essex/Hudson). "Our homeless students, our children in foster care, and our students with disabilities can't afford to miss class because a route is hard to fill. This bill gives districts a practical, cost-saving option, and it does not trade safety for flexibility. Every provider will be registered, reviewed, and held accountable by the State."
NJ FASST also thanks Assembly Education Committee Chair Verlina Reynolds-Jackson for introducing the companion bill, A.5701, in the Assembly.
New Jersey voters overwhelmingly approve of improving the system, according to a Fairleigh Dickinson University (FDU) poll which found that 63% of voters support allowing schools to use alternative transportation providers and private drivers for certain students. Notably, support crossed party lines in the state at a time when few issues escape political polarization and partisanship. Sixty-five percent of Democrats and 61% of Republicans backed the proposal, while support remained relatively consistent across ideological groups.
"There's not really a great case to be made for limiting the options school districts have in transporting students," said Dan Cassino, a Professor of Government and Politics at FDU, and the Executive Director of the FDU Poll. "Some kids have special needs, and voters are ok with giving schools flexibility to address their needs."
"New Jersey's students and families deserve transportation options that are safe, reliable, affordable, and adaptable to the realities of today's school day and workforce schedules, which is clearly supported by a majority of New Jersey residents as this poll proves. It is vital to advance innovative, practical solutions that improve student access to education while easing burdens on families, school districts, and taxpayers," said Ocean Township Mayor John P. Napolitani, Sr.
NJ FASST urges New Jersey policymakers to move S.4801/A.5701 forward now so these additional options are in place for students and schools by next school year. Safely and efficiently transporting these students should not be considered a "nice to have." It must be a core principle for the state, and it is one voters strongly endorse.
NJ FASST members include the New Jersey School Boards Association; New Jersey Association of Special Education Partner Schools; New Jersey Public Charter Schools Association; Family Support Organization of Burlington County; Mayor Andre Saygeh of Paterson; Mayor John P. Napolitani, Sr. of Ocean Township; and Diahann DeRuggiero and Pheobie Thomas, who have both spent more than twenty years serving New Jersey's McKinney Vento student population; among others.
To learn more about NJ FASST and the work they are leading to ensure safe and affordable student transportation in New Jersey, visit NJFASST.org.
Media Contact
Christine Rashman, NJ FASST, 1 2814335067, [email protected], njfasst.org
SOURCE NJ FASST
Share this article