Subscription (Fee-Based) Busing

  • EACH YEAR THE DISTRICT DETERMINES IF THE SUBSCRIPTION BUSING PROGRAM CAN BE OFFERED. IF SO, THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION IS SENT TO ALL FAMILIES OF STUDENTS WHO ARE ELIGIBLE TO APPLY FOR SUBSCRIPTION BUSING FOR THE UPCOMING SCHOOL YEAR.  

    IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO INQUIRE ABOUT ELIGIBILITY, PLEASE EMAIL bmyer@ramsey.k12.nj.us

     

    The Ramsey Public School District is offering limited subscription busing of students for the upcoming school year.   The program makes available, on a subscription basis, seats that are not filled on established contracted 54-passenger bus routes.  Per District Subscription Busing Policy,  Additional bus stops are not added in order to accommodate students participating in the subscription busing program.  (Operations Policy 8611).  The policy and procedures relative to subscription busing shall follow all applicable state laws and guidelines.

     

    PLEASE NOTE:  THERE IS NEVER A GUARANTEE THAT ANY STUDENT WILL BE AWARDED A SUBSCRIPTION BUSING SEAT.  ALSO, IT IS POSSIBLE THAT A SUBSCRIPTION BUSED STUDENT COULD BE REMOVED AT ANY TIME DURING THE SCHOOL YEAR IF A SEAT NEEDS TO BE AWARDED TO A MILEAGE ELIGIBLE STUDENT.  THEREFORE, ALTERNATE TRANSPORTATION PLANS SHOULD ALWAYS BE IN PLACE.   

     

    Subscription busing seats awarded will be for one year only.   You will need to apply for subscription busing on an annual basis.

     

    The Ramsey Board of Education reserves the right to, with 30 days notification, terminate a subscription busing agreement. This termination would be based upon the recommendation of the Superintendent. Parties affected by termination would be contacted in writing and by telephone.   

     

    Subscription busing students can be removed from the route at any time to provide seats for incoming students who must be bused according to the law. If this does occur, those students will be given a 10-school-day notice before being removed and will receive a prorated refund.

     
    Siblings

    Students living in the same household requesting subscription busing, if they attend the same school and would all travel on the same route, will be considered on an all or none basis.

     

    Lottery System

    It is possible that there will be a higher demand for seats than will actually be available. If that happens, available seats will be awarded through a lottery system. Once all names of interested students are received, if the number of interested students exceeds available seats, a random lottery will be performed to assign students to those available seats. Those students who are not awarded a seat will be placed on a waiting list.  If seats become available at any point during the school year, the waiting list names will be used to fill those new available seats.

     

    Costs

    The cost of subscription busing will be determined on an annual basis using a formula incorporating state reimbursement, total numbers of seats available, administrative cost and cost per seat on the established bus routes.  The cost for subscription busing for the 2023-2024 school year is $790.00 per student for two-way transportation.  There is no option of paying for one-way transportation. However, once a seat is allotted for a student, that student can use the bus any way he/she needs. Students being awarded a seat will receive notification along with details and paperwork to complete the registration and payment process.

     

    The $790 fee can be paid by check all at once or in 2 equal installments (no credit card or PayPal payments). Checks must state student(s)’ complete name(s) and the words “Subscription Busing” in the memo area. Subscription busing payments must be received by the dates specified in the notification documents. Payments are usually due early Summer and early Fall. The payment deadlines are strictly enforced.  Students will be excluded from the subscription busing program if the fees are not paid by the specified dates. Requests for special financial arrangements cannot be honored. Requests for refunds will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

     

    Financial Hardship

    Financial hardship shall not be a limiting factor if your child’s/children's name(s) are selected for subscription busing. Under provisions of this subscription busing program and state statute, those subscription busing students who qualify for free-or-reduced lunches are entitled to free subscription busing, pending submission and approval of a current-year free-or-reduced lunch program application. Free-or-Reduced Lunch Program approval status does not guarantee your child a subscription busing seat.  FREE SUBSCRIPTION BUSING ONLY APPLIES IF YOUR CHILD IS AWARDED A SEAT TO BEGIN WITH AND YOU ARE NOTIFIED OF SUCH.

     

    Joint Custody:

    Joint custody students are eligible for one bus and one bus stop only. This stop will be at the student’s primary Ramsey residence only. The person who fills out the interest form is the person responsible for full subscription payment.  All correspondence will be made with that parent. It is not the responsibility of the Ramsey Board of Education to collect monies from ex-spouses.

     

     Special Education:

    Special Education students whose IEP states TRANSPORTATION MANDATED will receive Special Education busing for free through the Special Services Department.  Please contact your child’s Case Manager.  Special Education students whose IEP states TRANSPORTATION NOT REQUIRED may apply for subscription busing.   Special Education status does not guarantee your child a subscription busing seat.

     
    Additional Bus Stops 
    The Ramsey Board of Education reserves the right to add additional bus stops on established routes.  Such additions would be based upon the recommendation of the Superintendent.  The full financial cost of additional stops would be borne by the parent/guardians of the subscription busing participants utilizing the new bus stops.  
     
     
    FOR FURTHER INFORMATION ABOUT SUBSCRIPTION BUSING, PLEASE EMAIL bmyer@ramsey.k12.nj.us