NEW YORK, N.Y. - More than 8,000 New York City school bus drivers and matrons have gone on strike over job protection. Some 152,000 students, many disabled, have to find other ways to get to school.

Schools Chancellor Dennis Walcott says the strike started at 6 a.m. Wednesday.

Most of the city's roughly 1.1 million public school students take public transportation or walk to school.

Those who rely on the buses include 54,000 special education students and others who live far from schools or transportation.

Parents have made plans to use subways, carpools and other alternatives.

The city has put its contracts with private bus companies up for bid, aiming to cut costs. The union says drivers could suddenly lose their jobs when contracts expire in June.