Perception gapsFull briefing
School-bus satisfaction is a transit-equity story
The longer form of the briefing for this story: the original thesis, the supporting findings the data team flagged, and the reporting directions a journalist could follow. For the short version and the data analysis, see the main story page.
Thesis
The NYC School Survey asks students if they're satisfied with their bus transportation. Satisfaction is wildly uneven — and the unsatisfied are often the kids riding the longest. School-bus equity in NYC tracks the disability / English-learner / D75 placements that often require non-zone schooling.
Supporting findings
- STUDENT_q15 (2023-24): 'I am satisfied with my school bus transportation service this year.'
- Pull satisfaction by school, rank.
- Cross-reference with school type: D75, special-needs, magnet schools have longer bus rides.
- NYC DOE OPT (Office of Pupil Transportation) chronically over budget — service issues year-after-year.
- Strike + service disruptions — does satisfaction track disruption windows?
- Bus delays disproportionately affect SWD kids needing specialized transport.
- Compare with NY Open Data 'Bus Breakdown and Delays' (NYC DOE feed).
- Borough bus route density vs satisfaction.
- Charter schools — separate transportation arrangements; how does satisfaction compare?
- Frame: 'For the kids who most need to be at school, getting there is the hardest.'
Reporting directions
- Pull bus satisfaction by school + cross-tab with school type.
- Match bus breakdown data to school addresses.
- Interview Office of Pupil Transportation director.
- Profile a kid with a 90-min bus commute to D75 placement.