BANY Urges Passenger Alerts as New Bus Seat Belt Law Goes into Effect

The Bus Association of New York (BANY) is advising charter bus operators to alert passengers about the state’s new seat belt requirement for certain buses. Operators are encouraged to notify riders in advance through contracts, posted signs, or announcements, and to inform out-of-state groups before entering New York.

The law, sponsored by Assemblyman William Magnarelli, took effect on April 21, 2025, and applies to buses manufactured on or after November 28, 2016. Compliance is the responsibility of passengers, not drivers or operators, and violations can result in fines of up to $50. The rule covers only chartered party trips, which are exclusive group hires under a single contract. Commuter, sightseeing, and regularly scheduled line buses are not included.

Passengers aged 16 and older must wear seat belts. Those aged 8 to 15 must also buckle up, with fines issued to a parent or guardian if present. Children under 8 remain subject to existing child restraint rules.

Seat Belt Extenders in Demand

The new requirement has caused a rise in requests for seat belt extenders. Jeff Goldwasser of Amaya Seating, a supplier of bus equipment, explained:

“Let’s say there’s a person who is too large to buckle their belt, like on an airplane, they offer seat belt extenders,” Goldwasser said. “So I have people call me saying, ‘Hey, is this available?’ I worked with Amaya, the manufacturer, to make them for Amaya seats.”

Goldwasser emphasized that the extenders are designed exclusively for Amaya seats manufactured since 2015. They sell for under $35, and most operators keep only one or two on hand rather than purchasing in bulk.

“People who travel in New York State, and they just don’t want to have any issues on the bus,” Goldwasser noted. “God forbid there’s an accident, and the only person seriously injured is a passenger with a larger body who couldn’t buckle a seat belt. This takes that possibility off the table.”

Reason for the Law

The law follows several serious charter bus accidents, including the September 2023 crash in Orange County that killed two adult chaperones traveling with Long Island students. These incidents prompted lawmakers to strengthen safety measures for charter buses.

Preparing Passengers

BANY recommends that operators make seat belt requirements clear before passengers board. Including reminders in contracts, posting signage on buses, or making a short announcement at the start of trips helps reduce confusion and ensure compliance.

The message is simple: safety responsibility now rests with passengers, and proactive communication helps prevent fines and protect everyone on board.

Image and Source: Bus and Motorcoach News