Time To Release School Bus Safety Report, NJ Lawmaker Urges Ahead Of Return To Class

CALDWELLS, NJ — A New Jersey state senator is “strongly urging” the New Jersey Department of Education to produce a legally required report on school bus safety as students prepare to return to class.

Need an example why it’s urgent? Just take a look at a school bus crash that happened in West Caldwell two years ago, according to Sen. Kristin Corrado (NJ-40).

Earlier this week, Corrado sent a letter to the commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Education (NJDOE) asking for more action on the report.

“As the 2025-2026 school year is quickly approaching, I wanted to direct your attention to a matter of grave importance to the many families in my legislative district and throughout the state who will soon be sending their children off to their first day of school,” Corrado wrote.

“You may recall that in 2022, Gov. Phil Murphy signed legislation—which I proudly co-sponsored—establishing the Office of School Bus Safety in the Department of Education,” she continued. “This office is responsible for advancing student transportation safety in New Jersey through educational, compliance, and enforcement efforts.”

“Current state law requires your department to submit to the Legislature an initial report on the Office of School Bus Safety’s services and enforcement actions,” Corrado continued. “Despite the fact that the office was created more than 3.5 years ago, your department still has not submitted the required report to the Legislature.”

“Make no mistake—the need for oversight and accountability of student transportation in New Jersey is just as critical as ever,” Corrado urged:

“In January 2023—a year after the office was created—a school bus driver in West Caldwell was allegedly drunk when he crashed his bus into a house after dropping off 16 students. The driver had accrued 152 violations before that accident.”

“I strongly urge your department to fulfill its obligation under state law to issue the required report on the Office of School Bus Safety’s activities,” Corrado wrote.

“We must do everything in our power to ensure that no parent fears for their child’s safety while riding the bus to school,” she added.

• See Related: Driver Charged With DUI After School Bus Crashes Into Home In West Caldwell

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