Queens, NY – On Tuesday, the first day of school, Paige Bergin, an 11‑year‑old sixth‑grader with multiple disabilities, was left without the promised school bus transportation. The bus that should have picked her up at the family’s Queens home never arrived, and her parents were forced to drive nearly an hour to the Henry Viscardi School in Nassau County.
“I just love going to school,” Paige said, expressing the excitement many children feel on the first day. Instead, her mother, Marianne Bergin, found herself watching the clock and asking, “She looking like what time is it? Are they here yet?” The family says this is not an isolated incident.
“It’s a common thing that the buses aren’t provided for kids like Paige with special needs,” Marianne added, noting that transportation problems have been a recurring issue for families of children with disabilities in the city.
Paige’s parents chose the Henry Viscardi School for its specialized programs and services, but the commute can take up to an hour each way during rush‑hour traffic. Without the bus, the Bergins now have to add those hours to their daily schedule, a burden they say is unfair and unsustainable.
When Marianne arrived at the school with Paige, she learned that other students faced the same problem. “I find that unacceptable. Out of all these kids that are there, there are 19 students that have to find their own way to school that day who are in wheelchairs, walkers, have multiple disabilities and their parents are on their own,” said Patrick Bergin, Paige’s father.
The New York City Department of Education, which is responsible for providing transportation to students with disabilities, has not yet responded to requests for comment. The Bergins have been told the issue may not be resolved for weeks, leaving them to wonder how many more days their daughter will have to travel by car.
“It’s not fair to her. She has the right to an education. She has the right to be transported there… she deserves that just like any other child does,” Marianne said, invoking the constitutional principle that every child is entitled to equal educational opportunities.
The family hopes the department will act quickly to restore reliable bus service, ensuring that Paige and other students with special needs can attend school without interruption. Their experience highlights a broader concern for families across the city who rely on public transportation to access essential services.
What parents can do
Families facing similar challenges are encouraged to document missed rides, contact their local school board, and reach out to advocacy groups that focus on special‑needs education. Persistent communication with the Department of Education can sometimes expedite solutions, especially when multiple families are affected.
Looking ahead
As the school year progresses, the Bergins and other affected families will be watching closely for any improvements. Reliable transportation is a cornerstone of educational access, and the city’s response will be a test of its commitment to students with disabilities.
Original reporting: Brookhaven News – ABC7 New York — read the source article.
