UNITED STATES
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

                                   FORM 12b-25

                                                  Commission File Number 0-24247

                           NOTIFICATION OF LATE FILING

(Check One): [ ] Form 10-K   [ ] Form 11-K   [ ] Form 20-F   [X] Form 10-Q

[ ] Form N-SAR
    For Period Ended:     March 31, 2000
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[ ] Transition Report on Form 10-K
[ ] Transition Report on Form 20-F
[ ] Transition Report on Form 11-K
[ ] Transition Report on Form 10-Q
[ ] Transition Report on Form N-SAR

     For the Transition Period Ended:
                                     -------------------------------------------

     Read attached  instruction  sheet before  preparing  form.  Please print or
type.

     Nothing in this form shall be  construed to imply that the  Commission  has
verified any information contained herein.

     If the  notification  relates  to a portion of the  filing  checked  above,
identify the Item(s) to which the notification relates:
                                                        ------------------------
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                                     PART I

                             REGISTRANT INFORMATION

Full name of registrant:      Atlantic Express Transportation Corp.
                        --------------------------------------------------------

Former name if applicable:

Address of principal executive office (Street and number)

                                    7 North Street
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City, state and zip code            Staten Island, New York  10302-1205
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                                     PART II
                             RULES 12b-25(b) AND (c)

      If the subject  report could not be filed without  unreasonable  effort or
expense  and  the  registrant  seeks  relief  pursuant  to Rule  12b-25(b),  the
following should be completed. (Check box if appropriate.)

     |(a)   The reasons  described in reasonable detail in Part III of this form
     |      could not be eliminated without unreasonable effort or expense;
     |
     |(b)   The subject annual report,  semi-annual report, transition report on
     |      Form 10-K,  20-F,  11-K or Form N-SAR,  or portion  thereof  will be
[X]  |      filed  on  or  before  the  fifteenth  calendar  day  following  the
     |      prescribed due date; or the subject  quarterly  report or transition
     |      report on Form 10-Q,  or portion  thereof will be filed on or before
     |      the fifth calendar day following the prescribed due date; and
     |
     |(c)   The  accountant's  statement  or  other  exhibit  required  by  Rule
     |      12b-25(c) has been attached if applicable.

                                    PART III
                                    NARRATIVE

      State below in reasonable  detail the reasons why Form 10-K,  11-K,  20-F,
10-Q,  N-SAR, or the transition  report or portion  thereof,  could not be filed
within the prescribed time period. (attach extra sheets if needed)

      The Registrant's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March
31, 2000 cannot be filed within the prescribed time period without  unreasonable
effort or expense  because of  temporary  shortages  in the  Registrant's  staff
responsible for the preparation of quarterly financial information, coupled with
increased demands on remaining staff due to seasonal business requirements.

                                     PART IV
                                OTHER INFORMATION

      (1)   Name and  telephone  number of person to  contact  in regard to this
            notification

      Nathan Schlenker                  (718)                 442-7000
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      (Name)                            (Area Code)           (Telephone Number)


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      (2) Have all other periodic  reports required under Section 13 or 15(d) of
      the  Securities  Exchange  Act of 1934  or  Section  30 of the  Investment
      Company Act of 1940  during the  preceding  12 months or for such  shorter
      period that the registrant was required to file such report(s) been filed?
      If answer is no, identify report(s).

                                                                 [X] Yes  [ ] No

      (3)  Is  it  anticipated  that  any  significant  changes  in  results  of
      operations from the corresponding  period for the last fiscal year will be
      reflected by the earnings  statements to be included in the subject report
      or portion thereof?

                                                                 [ ] Yes  [X] No

      If so, attach an explanation of the anticipated  change,  both narratively
and  quantitatively,  and, if  appropriate,  state the reasons why a  reasonable
estimate of the results cannot be made.


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                      Atlantic Express Transportation Corp.
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                  (Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)

Has  caused  this  notification  to be signed on its  behalf by the  undersigned
hereunto duly authorized.

Dated:        May 15, 2000            By: /s/ Nathan Schlenker
          ------------------             --------------------------------
                                         Name:   Nathan Schlenker
                                                 Chief Financial Officer

      Instruction:  The  form  may be  signed  by an  executive  officer  of the
registrant or by any other duly authorized representative. The name and title of
the person signing the form shall be typed or printed beneath the signature.  If
the  statement  is  signed  on  behalf  of  the   registrant  by  an  authorized
representative   (other   than   an   executive   officer),   evidence   of  the
representative's  authority to sign on behalf of the  registrant  shall be filed
with the form.


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