All 52 companies that operate New York City’s yellow school bus service signed an emergency 30-day contract with the city Thursday evening, averting a possible work stoppage that could have begun Monday.

“In the end, this is about the children and our employees, period,” bus companies’ spokesperson Richard Bamberger told Chalkbeat about the last-minute agreement.

“This emergency extension will allow us to bring all parties to the table to work everything out, while, at the same time it will allow parents, students, drivers and aides to know that buses will be running on a normal schedule,” he continued.

A contract dispute has been ongoing after a five-year contract between the bus companies, the city, and the Department of Education expired in June. Last week the companies said they

See Full Page