Disabled Buffalo father fights for fair school bus stop

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) -- Tasheen Collins is a Buffalo father with cerebral palsy who has an extraordinarily difficult time getting down his South Buffalo street to get his 5-year-old son on and off the school bus. Collins said he's repeatedly tried to get the bus to stop at his home, instead of down the street, but said the Buffalo Public School District and First Student Transportation passed the buck.

"It shouldn't take for someone to go on the news to get help because they have a physical disability," said Collins.

Collins, who is a single father, refuses to let his 5-year-old son, Tasheen Jr., walk alone from the bus stop at the busy corner of Crystal Avenue and Hopkins Street.

He claimed that until News 4 stepped in, Buffalo Public Schools and First Student Transportation would not drop his son off directly in front of his home.

The 5-year-old attends South Buffalo Charter School.

"They were able to get bussing setup. I would argue that it wasn't adequate bussing setup. As they wanted a 5-year-old to walk 15 to 17 houses down the street in order to get on the bus," said Collins.

Collins said the situation was even more frustrating because the bus passes his home to drop his son off at the corner.

He said the district had previously not been responsive to his calls for help.

"They advised me to follow up with the Buffalo Board of Education and see if they would be willing to make an exception," said Collins. "As they do not accommodate handicapped parents or guardians. They only accommodate handicap children that are students of their district."

Collins said after News 4 reached out to Buffalo Schools, he received a call from the district's transportation director ensuring this issue would be resolved.

In response, a Buffalo Public Schools spokesperson released this statement:

“Making sure all students have safe transportation to and from school is a priority. For that reason, the district works with families on a case-by-case basis when these types of situations arise. The district is working to have the parent’s disability documented by a physician to ensure that the family’s needs are met with appropriate bus transportation.”

BUFFALO PUBLIC SCHOOLS SPOKESPERSON

First Student Transportation did not return our request for comment.