Alexandra ROBINSON

Biographical note
For more than 29 years, Alex has presented to transportation professionals and special educators both locally and internationally in the areas of mobility/securement, civil rights, safe transportation of students with medical and special needs.  In addition to serving as an expert witness nationally, her presentations on strategic planning, leadership, logistics and organizational behavior have helped guide transportation professionals in the US, Canada, Asia and the Middle East. Alex is the Executive Director for the Office of Pupil Transportation for the New York City Department of Education, the largest school district in the country and is the Past President of the National Association for Pupil Transportation (NAPT) Alex holds a Master’s Degree in Educational Administration and Special Education; is a Certified Director of Pupil Transportation, and is a NHTSA Certified Child Passenger Safety Technician.  Alex is fluent in French, Spanish, proficient in Russian.

Presentation: School Transportation as “Public Transit”
In many large urban areas of the United States, the school transportation system relies on a partnership with public transit. For many, school busing has become a natural fit into the public transport environment but for millions of school children in the USA, who do not live in large urban areas, the school bus is the only form of public transport and the only access to education. This presentation will contribute to the discussion surrounding the school bus as a means for access to education and community support just like public transit does worldwide. Specific focus will be placed on New York City’s School Bus Transportation system (the largest ground fleet in North America) and the traditional and non-traditional transit partnerships and creative cost savings measures.