Q&A
Unauthorized use of 10-day letters for student transportation
2:00:02
·
173 sec
Council Member Rita Joseph raises concerns about the use of 10-day letters for student transportation. John Benson explains the history and current status of these letters.
- 10-day letters were originally approved by the MTA in Fall 2021 to address data issues during the return to in-person schooling post-pandemic
- These letters are no longer officially authorized or distributed by the DOE
- There are concerns about students using these unauthorized letters to access public transportation
- The DOE acknowledges that some schools may still be distributing these letters without authorization
- Council Member Joseph expresses concern about potential consequences for students using these letters, particularly in unstaffed subway stations
Rita Joseph
2:00:02
And the students who have those letters, you said they were not supposed to be given out in the first place.
2:00:07
Right?
2:00:07
Those 10 day letters.
John Benson
2:00:08
Yeah.
2:00:09
So the story with that letter, Fall of 21, resuming school in full service coming out of the pandemic.
2:00:15
That 1st year, everybody was back in person.
2:00:17
There were major issues at that time with the data we were receiving, and the kids were on a remote flag the year before.
2:00:24
Weren't able to be incorporated properly for metro card entry heading into that fall.
2:00:28
So there were major gaps in metro card issues.
2:00:31
So we actually got a letter approved through the MTA that those schools could give out at the time.
2:00:37
It was a 10 day letter, I believe.
2:00:38
I don't remember exactly the full details, but that was only fully authorized and approved at that time.
2:00:44
The text of that letter, I think, is still floating around.
2:00:46
We're not involved with any distribution of those letters.
Rita Joseph
2:00:49
I have a copy on my phone.
2:00:51
Right.
2:00:51
And I stay in touch with young people so they tell me What protection do young people who go into a train station and there's no clerk?
2:00:58
How do I get home from there and I'm using a letter?
2:01:01
I will forward that letter to you.
2:01:02
We will talk offline and I will forward that letter to you.
John Benson
2:01:05
I'm aware the schools are giving these out.
2:01:07
I'm saying that it has not been authorized by our office.
Rita Joseph
2:01:11
We received a report that it it took 2 weeks to replace.
2:01:14
Right?
2:01:15
If that's not accurate, how do how do student apply for what steps are being taken?
2:01:19
You said they can pick them up?
2:01:21
They can be delivered?
2:01:22
And what's the next step?
John Benson
2:01:23
So they can be delivered from our courier based on the data, right, that the school submits.
2:01:29
If the school is in a dire situation where they don't have enough cars for whatever reason, they would reach out to the transportation liaison.
2:01:35
At that point, we can either expedite a delivery that comes within a week or they're given the option to come to our office at Vernon Boulevard in Queens.
2:01:42
Right?
2:01:42
And they can just pick up their allotment there.
2:01:44
We do have some some cards to be reserved on hand in house.
2:01:48
That way, if there is a dire need, we can just either hand deliver them to the school the school can come pick them up from them.
Rita Joseph
2:01:54
What's the amount of time from an initial re outreach to you to by the time the card get into the hand of the student?
John Benson
2:02:01
I would say 1 to 2 days depending on on the inbox of the person getting the the receipt of the of the request.
Rita Joseph
2:02:06
And when that card is lost or stolen, that student report that loss or stolen, what's the process for that?
John Benson
2:02:12
So they speak to their their point people for transportation at the school and say my card has been lost or stolen, I need a new one.
Rita Joseph
2:02:18
And they'll deactivate the card?
2:02:19
Or
John Benson
2:02:19
They deactivate the old one.
2:02:21
And issue a new one.
2:02:23
We are seeing the issue as I'm sure you've seen of the online sales by students?
Rita Joseph
2:02:28
Yeah.
2:02:28
On eBay.
John Benson
2:02:29
Yes.
Rita Joseph
2:02:30
Kids are selling them on eBay.
2:02:31
I'm a kid.
John Benson
2:02:33
Right.
Rita Joseph
2:02:35
They they at least, you know, they're business they're small business people.
2:02:38
But anyway, I hope they know these cards are deactivated.
2:02:41
Yeah.
2:02:41
I was aware that there's a couple of students who had their cards on eBay, did the math, and knew how much each card was worth.
2:02:48
Of our future business entrepreneurs in New York City Public Schools, Council member Brewer.
2:02:54
I know you will have a
