Summer transportation updates

Yellow school bus with stop sign deployed

Our 2024 summer programs begin Monday, and we would like to provide you with important transportation updates, changes and expectations for students who will ride yellow buses this summer.

If you are not already signed up to receive text messages through SchoolMessenger, please sign up today. This will allow you to receive delay notifications if your student’s bus is running more than 10 minutes late in the morning or afternoon (we also send email notifications via SchoolMessenger). 

•    To receive SchoolMessenger text notifications, just text “Y” or “YES” to 67587

Please also make sure that your contact information is correct in SchoolTool so that you receive these messages, and we have accurate information in case we need to contact you for any reason. 

Summer yellow bus schedules and safety reminders

All elementary students, all middle school students and high school students whose Individualized Education Plan (IEP) calls for specialized transportation will ride yellow buses during the summer. CDTA transportation will be available for all other high school students; summer passes will be provided when summer school begins Monday.

Our Transportation Department mailed letters in June to the families of all students scheduled for yellow bus service. The City School District of Albany is partnering with three yellow bus providers this year: First Student, Durham and Rejha.

On your summer transportation letter, if your route begins with a bus number, First Student is your provider. Other routes are specifcally designated as Durham or Rejha. If you have any questions about your bus in the morning or afternoon, contact your assigned provider first:

  • Durham: (518) 237-4514
  • First Student: (518) 445-6372
  • Rejha: (518) 433-7433, ext. 2

Please have your student at their stop 10 minutes prior to the scheduled time, and allow 10 minutes past before you call your provider for an ETA if you have not already received a SchoolMessenger email or text update. We will send a sweeper bus only if your student misses the bus due to driver error, not if your student was not ready when the bus arrived.

We also ask that you talk with your student about bus safety reminders:

  • Always stay seated while the bus is moving
  • Be respectful of everyone on the bus at all times
  • Be sure to take all of their belongings with them when they get off the bus 

You can call our Transportation Department at (518) 475-6170 with any other questions.

Have a great summer!