Sec. 156.6. Leasing of school buses under emergency conditions

(a) Pursuant to the provisions of section 1709 of the Education Law, school buses may be leased from sources other than a school district, board of cooperative educational services, or county vocational education and extension board under emergency conditions which shall include but not be limited to the following:

(1) strikes;

(2) removal of bus from service due to:

(i) accident;

(ii) mechanical failure; or

(iii) fire, theft, vandalism;

(3) delay in delivery date.

(b) Within 10 days from the date the emergency occurs, a statement explaining the transportation emergency and its estimated duration shall be forwarded to the Commissioner of Education for approval.

(c) Such approval of the commissioner shall be for a period not to exceed 90 days, unless an emergency still exists. In such event, a request setting forth in detail, the reasons for extension of the emergency shall be filed with the commissioner for approval.