NY child with autism faces 2-hour school bus ride daily

From WCBS-TV in New York City:

The last time the New York City Department of Education changed bus routes in the middle of a school year, it turned out to be a disaster for thousands of students. This year, for one child with autism, a re-drawn route means his ride to school is now more than two hours long.

Brandon Montanez (pictured with his mother) is 5-years-old and in kindergarten at the Learning Springs School in Manhattan. He lives in Bensonhurst and takes a bus to and from school every day.

On Friday morning, it's just minutes to nine when his bus arrives. He's nearly 30 minutes late and has been riding on that bus for 2 hours and 15 minutes. It's even tougher for Brandon because of his autism.

"It's been a nightmare," says Michelle Montanez, Brandon's mother. "He was jumping on his seat, he was throwing off his seat belt, he told them that he wanted to scream and he wanted to do it. He started banging his head against the side of the bus and he's been doing it every day since he's been on this route. It's too much for him, it's too long."

Brandon's trip had been about 90 minutes until earlier this month, when they received a letter from the Office of Pupil Transportation advising them of a route change. The notice was left only a few days beforehand giving Brandon little time for the transition to a new bus driver and matron, and a longer trip to school.

Brandon's mother has been trying to understand the reasoning, and working to have the route re-adjusted.

According to the Department of Education, there is no legal limit to the amount of time a child can spend on commuting on a school bus.

"Brandon has been having aggression issues, this is certainly not helping him by any stretch of the imagination," said Michelle. "How do you expect a child to get an education if they can't get past the bus ride every day?"

The Department of Educations said that Brandon lives on his route's southernmost point and have directed the bus driver to try to reduce the time by 15 minutes. Brandon's mom says it hasn't been working and it certainly didn't on Friday. The department says it will continue to monitor the situation.