Transportation
The Ramaz School works cooperatively with parents in arranging for the transportation of students to and from school.
Board of Education Bus Service
Transportation eligibility is based on a student’s grade level, walking distance between home and school, and existing accommodations based on a medical condition, housing status, or safety assessment. Eligibility is determined by the DOE OPT (not Ramaz) and begins in Kindergarten. Bus service is available only to Manhattan residents in Grades Kindergarten-6.
| Grade Level | Distance Code A: Less than 0.5 mile |
Distance Code B: 0.5 mile or more, but less than 1 mile |
Distance Code C: 1 mile or more, but less than 1.5 mile |
Distance Code D: 1.5 mile or more |
| Grades Kindergarten, 1, and 2 | Not Eligible | School Bus or OMNY Card | School Bus or OMNY Card | School Bus or OMNY Card |
| Grades 3-6 | Not Eligible | OMNY Card Only | School Bus or OMNY Card | School Bus or OMNY Card |
| Grade 7-12 | Not Eligible | OMNY Card Only | OMNY Card Only | OMNY Card Only |
Public Transportation: OMNY Cards
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Eligibility is determined by the New York City Department of Education. Students in grades 7-12 are only eligible for an OMNY Card.
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Students residing in one of the five boroughs of New York City who live more than half a mile from school are eligible for a full-fare OMNY Card. Parents are not eligible for OMNY Cards.
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Lost or defective OMNY Cards must be reported by the student to the Ramaz School office at which time a replacement will be issued.
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All eligible students in grades 9-12 can get their OMNY Cards from the Sixth Floor Office. All questions regarding eligibility should be directed to Ms. Ann B. Chechik at annbc@ramaz.org.
- Only for Upper School students: Metro-North and the LIRR sells Monthly School Commutation tickets exclusively through their websites via their Mail & Ride programs. The first step in signing up for the program is to contact Ms. Chechik in the Sixth Floor Office for the appropriate form and directions.
Private Bus Service: 2025-2026
The Upper School has made arrangements with private bus companies servicing round trip and door to door routes in Englewood, Riverdale, Westchester, Queens, Brooklyn, and Great Neck as follows:
| Englewood & Surrounding area |
Rainbow Transportation | $5350 |
| New Rochelle, Scarsdale, & Riverdale | Airlink Transportation | $6050 |
| Queens (busing is not offered from Forest Hills) | Airlink Transportation | $5850 |
| Brooklyn | Airlink Transportation | $5900 |
| Great Neck |
Dell Transportation |
Paid for and arranged by the Town of Great Neck |
- Fees are payable directly to the bus company.
- Ramaz provides a late bus that leaves the Upper School at 6:30 p.m., Monday through Thursday, to accommodate students attending after-school programs.
- The bus companies do not offer one-way service.
US Transportation FAQ
Q: What are the approximate pick-up times in the morning?
A: While bus routes and timing are determined by the bus companies once all registrations have been received, pick-up times are generally between 6:15 am-7:00 am.
Q: Do you offer one-way or partial service?
A: No, the bus companies do not offer one-way or partial service. While families may choose to take partial or one-way bus service, the total fee is not reduced.
Q: What is included in the yearly fee?
A: The private bus service fee includes round-trip and door-to-door or central stop transportation to and from the Ramaz Upper School daily. Ramaz also provides a late bus that leaves the Upper School at 6:30 pm, most Mondays through Thursdays, to accommodate students attending after-school programs.
Q: How does late busing work?
A: Late Bus (6:30 pm) services are provided through Communicar Car Service and can be booked ahead of time by clicking on an online link provided by Ramaz. Bookings open for the month one week before the new month begins. We require that a sign-up for late bus service is submitted by 1:00 pm for the day of services.
Q: What types of vehicles are used for the Ramaz Bus service?
A: The type of vehicles used are decided by the bus companies. For the past few years, large 10-15 passenger sprinter vans have been used.
Q: How and when do I sign up for busing?
A: In late spring, Ramaz Operations will send a survey to likely eligible families to gather information on private bus service interest. Based on this information, the bus companies will reach out to interested families directly with more information and contracts, typically in early August. The deadline to sign up for private bus service is usually during the last week of August.
Q: Does Ramaz service all areas of Queens?
A: Every year the areas can change based on enrollment. For the 2025-2026 school year, Ramaz served much of Queens, including Hollis, Jamaica, and Fresh Meadows, while a private van (non-Ramaz) served the students coming from Forest Hills.
Q: What are my transportation options if I don't live in one of the areas serviced by a private bus company?
A: If private bus service is not an option for you, OMNY cards, Metro-North, LIRR, and other car services arranged separately from Ramaz are available.