How we collect, use, and protect your information.
Astra Transportation Corp ("Astra," "we," "us," or "our") provides school bus transportation services to students enrolled with the schools and districts we serve. This Privacy Policy explains what information we collect, how we use it, and the choices you have.
1. Information We Collect
We collect information directly from parents, guardians, schools, and districts as part of providing transportation service. This typically includes:
- Student information — name, school, grade, home and pickup/dropoff addresses, scheduled school bell times, and any service-related needs (such as wheelchair accessibility, nurse on board, or other accommodations).
- Parent and guardian contact information — names, relationship to the student, mobile and home phone numbers, email addresses, and emergency contact details.
- Operational data — route assignments, daily ridership, attendance, and incident reports collected in the course of providing safe transportation.
- Vehicle telematics — GPS location and on-board sensor data from buses, used for route operations, safety review, and compliance.
2. How We Use Information
- To plan and operate daily bus routes safely and on schedule.
- To contact parents, guardians, and emergency contacts about their child's transportation service.
- To coordinate with schools, districts, and government agencies as required to deliver service and meet regulatory obligations.
- To investigate safety incidents, address complaints, and improve our service.
- To comply with applicable laws, contracts, and licensing requirements.
3. SMS Messaging Program
Astra offers an optional SMS messaging program for parents and guardians of enrolled students. The program is used solely to deliver operational notifications about transportation service — for example, bus delays, schedule changes, weather-related route adjustments, and other service updates.
Opt-in
Parents and guardians opt in by providing their phone number on the Astra student enrollment form and agreeing to the SMS-consent statement included on that form. Verbal opt-in is also captured when a parent calls dispatch to update their contact preferences.
Message frequency
Message frequency varies based on operational conditions. A typical parent receives between 5 and 20 messages per school year, primarily on days when their child's bus is significantly delayed or when a service change affects them. We do not send marketing or promotional messages on this program.
Cost
Message and data rates may apply. Astra does not charge for the SMS service itself; standard rates from your wireless carrier may apply to incoming text messages.
Opt-out and help
You may opt out at any time by replying STOP to any message from Astra. You will receive a one-time confirmation that you have been unsubscribed, after which we will not send further texts to that number. To resume receiving messages later, reply START. For help, reply HELP or contact us at the email below.
Non-sharing of mobile information
We do not sell, rent, or share your mobile phone number or SMS opt-in data with any third party for marketing purposes. Mobile information collected for our SMS program is used solely to deliver the operational notifications described above. The only third party that processes your mobile number on our behalf is our SMS messaging service provider (Twilio Inc.), which acts as a data processor and is contractually prohibited from using the information for any other purpose.
4. Information Sharing
We share information only as needed to operate the service:
- With schools and districts we serve, as part of fulfilling our transportation contract.
- With service providers who operate systems on our behalf (such as our dispatch software hosting provider, telematics vendor, and SMS messaging provider). These providers are contractually limited to processing data for Astra's purposes only.
- With government agencies and regulators when required by law or to meet our compliance obligations (for example, New York DOT requirements).
- In response to legal process when properly required by court order, subpoena, or similar lawful request.
We do not sell personal information.
5. Data Security
We use reasonable administrative, technical, and physical safeguards to protect the information we hold. These include encrypted connections to our systems, access controls limiting who at Astra can view personal data, and regular review of our security practices. No system is perfectly secure, so we cannot guarantee absolute protection — but we take this responsibility seriously.
6. Your Choices
- SMS opt-out — reply STOP to any text from Astra, or contact us to be removed.
- Update or correct your information — contact your school's transportation office, or reach out to us at the email below.
- Request information about what we hold about you or your child — contact us and we will respond promptly.
7. Changes to This Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. Material changes will be communicated to enrolled parents and guardians through the channels we already use to reach you about service updates.
8. Contact Us
If you have questions about this Privacy Policy or how we handle your information:
Astra Transportation Corp
Yonkers, NY
Email: admin@astratransportation.com