Charter Bus Bill A 'Step In The Right Direction': Farmingdale Officials

ALBANY — The New York State Legislature approved a bill Thursday requiring most passengers use seatbelts on charter buses, which Farmingdale School District Superintendent Paul Defendini and Farmingdale Village Mayor Ralph Ekstrand both called a "step in the right direction."

The bill would require charter bus passengers 8 or older to use safety restraints or face a $50 fine, while police could ticket the parents of passengers between 8 and 15 if the parent or guardian was around when the violation occurred. Gov. Kathy Hochul will now decide to pass or veto the law.

The bill was prompted by a fatal crash that killed two Farmingdale High School educators in September.

"Farmingdale Schools is aware that the New York State Legislature has signed a new law that would require all passengers ages 8 and up to wear a seatbelt while on a charter bus," Defendini told Patch. "We believe that this is a step in the right direction. In order to ensure the safety of our students and staff, we will be reviewing our policies and guidelines to implement this new requirement in the upcoming school year."

Gina Pellettiere, 43, of Massapequa, and Beatrice "Bea" Ferrari, 77, of Farmingdale, were killed in a charter bus crash on Sept. 21 when they and the Farmingdale High School marching band were headed to their annual band camp in Greeley, Pennsylvania. Their bus overturned on Interstate 84 in Orange County and tumbled down a 50-foot ravine.

Ekstrand said the legislation reminds him of "Farmingdale heroes" Pellettiere and Ferrari.

"Both were shining examples of our best; dedicated to those they mentored in Farmingdale School District," Ekstrand said. "The entire community mourned the losses as well as the students who suffered physical and emotional wounds in the crash. Beatrice was a long time 'Daler,' and even in retirement, wanted to always be there to help."

May 15 was dedicated as "Beatrice Ferrari Day" in Farmingdale Village.

"While it was obviously a heartbreaking day; we saw how our residents reacted; showing their support for these families and all else involved and wanting to help in any way possible," Ekstrand said. "And it also reminds us of our commitment to SAFETY first. So this [bill] represents a step in that direction and we hope this bill is signed into law by the governor!"

Federal law requires charter buses have seatbelts installed but does not require that they be used. States currently decide the use of seatbelts.

The bill defines a charter bus as a bus manufactured or assembled on or after Nov. 28, 2016 transporting passengers for compensation in a chartered party.

The legislation was modeled on other laws passed in New York that expanded seatbelt use to stretch limousines, taxis and livery vehicles.

Many students and co-workers mourned Pellettiere and Ferrari following the tragedy, while many in the Farmingdale community stepped up to help Pellettiere's orphaned son, Joseph, who was 2 years old when his mother died.