Loves her job as a school bus driver transporting youngsters

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. - HUGUENOT - Maria Senise began her career as a bus driver catering to special-needs children for Island Charter more than 10 years ago. She still remembers being nervous on her first day. "I didn't know what to expect," she said. "I really didn't." But in a span of a week or two, Mrs. Senise was in love with her new occupation.

"It's the kids. They get your heart," the mother of three said. "Some are autistic. Some are learning disabled, and some have other kinds of disabilities, but each one is special."She and Louisa Maisto, bus matron, start their shift at 6:30 each morning by getting the kids excited for school. "We get them clapping in the morning with music on the bus," she explained. "We try to make it fun for the kids. It's a long haul. Some of these kids are on the bus for two hours, so we try to make it pleasant." Mrs. Senise's bus has carried dozens of youngsters in 10 years.

"I've been all over Staten Island. Every school you could think of," said the Brooklyn native, a Huguenot resident for the past 40 years.
"You know the parents, you know the kids. You get to know everybody and everybody becomes friends," she said. "The parents are really good, and they appreciate the lot extra that we do." Most recently, she drove children to and from Paulo Intermediate School (IS 75), Huguenot, and PS 56 in Rossville.

"At IS 75, we were known as the singing bus. We would sing Christmas songs with the kids," she said, noting that her passengers also loved the singer Adele. Mrs. Senise was a homemaker until her sons and daughter went to high school. She then worked as a nursery-school secretary before making what she considers the best career choice she could have made.

"I have a great boss. He's very good to us," she said. "He gives us uniforms, two great parties each year and the luxury to take the bus home." That means that Mrs. Senise is able to head from her home to each of the 15 children she delivers to school and return home by 8:30 a.m. She heads back out around 2 p.m. Her day is finished two hours later."It affords me time to be home during the day," said Mrs. Senise. When schools are closed, she's off too.

"The kids are so lovable. It's all about the kids, and that's what my boss stresses. He says if you have a bad day, leave it outside, because it's always about the kids," she explained. Mrs. Senise will drive and pick up from the Staten Island School of Civic Leadership in Graniteville starting this month. In the last decade, she and Ms. Maisto have become close friends. "When you're on the bus, what do you do? You talk. She's a cheap psychiatrist," Mrs. Senise said, laughing. "We started out as a bus driver and a matron, and we wound up as best friends. Because I work with a great partner, it makes my job so much easier." Both know every child's name on the bus. They wish them a good morning, a good day, and a good night, said Ms. Senise.

"I really and truly do love my job," she said. "I don't think too many people can say that."

Fred A. DiGiovanni Jr., President of Island Charter, a premier privately-owned transportation company that has proudly served local area schools for 30 years, receives the "Corporate Leadership Award" from Eden II - programs dedicated to enabling the children and adults with autism to achieve the highest quality of life throughout their lives in school, in the community, at work and at home.

"I am honored to have received this accolade from Eden II and proud to be involved," said Fred A. DiGiovanni. "The school and the programs they provide serve as a testament that those with autism can prevail!"
For more information about Island Charter, please visit the company website at www.IslandCharter.com, email service@IslandCharter.com or call 718-448-4006.

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Staten Island, NY (March 2009) - Island Charter, a premier privately-owned transportation company that has proudly served local area schools for 30 years, has kicked off an initiative to install safety buzzers in its school buses. Dedicated to providing safe transportation for the thousands of school children across the area, the company has decided to raise the standards of safety, service and reliability for all those who ride the buses.

One of the most important responsibilities of a school bus driver is the assurance that there are no children left on board at the end of each drop off route. With that in mind, the safety buzzers inside the school buses will serve as a unique reminder for each driver to complete a walk through of their bus at the end of each trip.

Once the ignition of the bus is turned off, the driver will hear a buzzing noise that can only be disarmed at the back of the bus by the pressing of a button. If this buzzing noise goes unnoticed, the horn of the school bus will set off, which will grab the attention of everyone within hearing distance of the bus. Naturally, this electronic safety device will ensure that everyone has disembarked from the vehicle.

"The benefits of having this small reminder far outweigh the risk of leaving a child on board, which is why we’ve decided to implement this installation initiative," said Fred A. DiGiovanni Jr, President, Island Charter. "This safety device will provide our parents, children and staff, the piece of mind knowing that no child is ever left behind."

For more information about Island Charter, or this safety measure, please visit the company website at www.IslandCharter.com, email service@IslandCharter.com or call 718-448-4006.

Staten Island, NY (January 2009) -Premier privately-owned NY Metro transportation company, Island Charter proudly celebrates 30 years in the business this month.

What began in 1979 with a small bus contract from the NYC Board of Education and 5 mini school buses transporting students back and forth to school has grown to include mini school buses, large school buses and coach buses. Today, the company operates with nearly 150 vehicles in its fleet and services New York (including Manhattan, Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens, Staten Island, Long Island, Rockland and Westchester) and all of New Jersey (including Atlantic City).

Still independently owned, managed and operated by its original founders, Island Charter continues to pour limitless energy and unconditional loyalty that begins with the DiGiovanni's - the founding family.

Often recognized for going the extra mile and the personalized service the company delivers, Island Charter also proudly employs many of original drivers and escorts who have been with the company since its humble beginnings in 1979. A family business through and through, this has certainly added to the company'’s success and longevity.

"Much of our success in the business is a direct result of our devoted and hard-working extended family of employees, customers and community," said Fred A. DiGiovanni Jr, President. "Our reputation for excellence and commitment to providing top-notch service stems from our strong family ties and we look forward to even more growth and more traveled miles for many more years to come!"

Staten Island, NY (July 2008) - NY Metro area’s premier privately-owned transportation company, Island Charter now provides safe, cost-effective and reliable transportation to and from Atlantic City - the destination known for its world-class casino gaming, entertainment, nightlife, fine dining, first class shopping and more!

There's no better way to enjoy a trip to Atlantic City than knowing you can bask in the comfort and convenience of provided transportation, and receive special offers from area casinos. With that in mind, Island Charter can arrange a group trip with incentives to any of the following Atlantic City casinos*:

Atlantic City Hilton Resorts Casino Hotel Tropicana Casino & Resort Bally's Caesar's

Trump Plaza Trump Marina Trump Taj Mahal Harrah's Showboat

*We also offer packages to Foxwoods Resort Casino.

The Atlantic City Charter service is provided by Island Charter's highly-qualified, professionally-trained drivers and escorts, committed to ensuring that each group experience is comfortable, safe and top-quality.

Let Island Charter's experts arrange a trip for you and your group! For more information about Island Charter, or to make your Atlantic City Charter bus plans, please visit the company website at www.IslandCharter.com, email service@IslandCharter.com or please call 718-448-4006.

Premier Transportation Company Offering
New Coach Buses for Charter in New York and New Jersey

Staten Island, NY (April 2008) - Island Charter, a premier privately-owned transportation company with over 30 years in the business announces the addition of Coach buses to its transportation fleet. Having earned a well-deserved reputation for excellence in quality, safety reliability, efficiency and service, the company now provides charter bus service with this new fleet of quality vehicles.

With plush reclining seating, 55 passenger capacity, extra luggage compartments, television monitors and DVD players, the new Island Charter Coach buses provide a multitude of transport services for all those who travel. The Coach buses are ideal for any type of group travel or outing, whether it be a wedding, special event, bar/bat mitzvah, convention, corporate function or casino trip.

Some of the additional features of the new Coach buses include: PA system, overhead storage space, custom radio system with CD player, interior lighting and frameless windows.

Often recognized for going the extra mile and the personalized service the company delivers, Island Charter takes pride in the tradition of excellence, the quality of its vehicles and the dedication of the staff who transport passengers whenever and wherever they need to go.

Island Charter provides Charter bus service with its fleet of Coach buses in New York (including: Manhattan, Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens, Staten Island and Long Island) and all of New Jersey (including: Atlantic City).

For more information about Island Charter, or to charter one of our new Coach buses, please visit the company website at www.IslandCharter.com, email service@IslandCharter.com or please call 718-448-4006.