Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Special Needs Kids "Are Being Cooked Alive" On Sweltering School Buses, Say Parents
By
Jen Chung
Published Jun 20, 2011
Modified Jun 20, 2011
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Jen Chung
Published Jun 20, 2011
Modified Jun 20, 2011
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
The summer's hot and sultry weather conditions can be dangerous for everyone which is why parents are upset at bus companies that take special needs kids to and from school. According to the Daily News, parents have repeatedly complained to the Department of Education about their children's sweaty, steamy commutes (many of which can take over 2 1/2 hours). One parent whose autistic son is "swimming in sweat" after his bus ride said, "Our kids are being cooked alive in these buses. I'm worried about kids getting heatstroke. I'm worried about kids suffering organ failure."
The News reports, "Special-needs kids, whose busing is contracted out to private companies, often have long commutes because drivers pick children up from multiple schools and then drop them off at their homes, which can make for long, unwieldy trips." And many children are in summer programs. The Department of Education says children's parents can request air conditioning IF they have doctors' notes and the city authorizes it. But, in the face of bureaucracy, a spokeswoman adds, "There's no reason why the buses shouldn't be using air conditioning if there's a child on it."
Another parent, Jennifer Choi, recounted how her 4-year-old son takes a 90-minute bus from a Manhattan school back to Queens—complete with a 35-minute stop ("without A/C, food or water") to wait for another student at a different school. Choi complained to the Daily News after reaching a dead end with the DOE for 8 months, and the News' inquiry got the DOE to shorten her son's route. She said, "I'm happy for [my child], but I'm concerned for other people. If the [city] could fix this within one day of the Daily News calling, they could have fixed this at any point at any time and they just chose not to."
And school bus drivers aren't just leaving kids on hot buses—last year, a special ed student was left on a freezing bus while the driver and matron went to get breakfast.
Tagged
hot bus
overheated
school bus
special needs
Jen Chung
Jen Chung is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
NYC Council to consider earlier Legionella reporting after deadly outbreaks
A bill facing a hearing Monday would require cooling tower owners to notify city health officials when bacteria levels reach a much lower threshold.
By
Catalina Gonella
Published Oct 18, 2026 at 7:36 p.m. ET
Staten Island fire injures 2, but spares historic 'Godfather' church
Dozens of firefighters responded to the blaze, which started in a vacant warehouse. It was contained within three hours.
By
Giulia Heyward
News
Staten Island fire injures 2, but spares historic 'Godfather' church
Dozens of firefighters responded to the blaze, which started in a vacant warehouse. It was contained within three hours.
By
Giulia Heyward
Bail reform remains major issue in NY governor's race, 7 years after it became law
By
Gino Fanelli
NYPD identifies Bronx man, 26, killed in Midtown subway shooting
By
Ryan Kost
,
Elizabeth Kim
and
Phil Corso
Have you seen this Yorkie? NYPD looking for adorable pup dognapped from her Queens home
By
Ryan Kost
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .