News Summary
Parents in New Britain are facing turmoil as issues with the First Student bus service for special needs students mount. Complaints of late pickups, wrong drop-offs, and communication failures have left families distressed. Incidents include children being taken to incorrect schools and significant delays that have caused emotional distress among students. The superintendent acknowledges challenges in communication and is pushing for accountability from First Student, which has admitted to difficulties and is trying to rectify the situation by increasing driver availability and support. Parents await a swift resolution for reliable transportation.
New Britain – Parents in New Britain are expressing frustration just one week into the school year due to multiple issues with First Student, the bus company contracted by the city to provide transportation for special needs students. Complaints have surged regarding late pickups and drop-offs, and in some cases, students have been taken to the wrong schools.
One distressing incident involved a mother whose son, who has autism, was taken to the incorrect location, which caused considerable worry. The child’s scheduled school day ended at 3:30 p.m. in Waterbury, yet he did not arrive home at the expected time. After contacting dispatch for information, the mother was informed that the GPS tracking on the bus had malfunctioned. Utilizing iPhone locating technology, she discovered her son was nearly 40 miles away in Danbury. Eventually, she coordinated with both the dispatcher and the bus driver to reunite with her son at a nearby 7-Eleven in Southington. The child reported feeling scared, tired, hungry, and in pain due to the extensive travel.
Another parent described a similar ordeal involving her nonverbal son who uses a wheelchair. The child was mistakenly transported to the wrong school because the driver lacked the appropriate paperwork. Although he was supposed to be taken to a school in Killingly, he ended up in Plainville and didn’t arrive until 10:45 a.m. The parent noted that these transportation issues had a significant emotional impact on her son, leading to episodes of self-harm and difficulty regulating his emotions. She also experienced delays when her son was left at school for two hours due to a bus breakdown on the highway.
Superintendent Dr. Tony Gasper acknowledged that there had been communication difficulties and cited the unpreparedness of First Student for the start of the school year. Late buses have led to students returning home hours past their scheduled times. Gasper emphasized that the district is striving for efficient communication to inform parents proactively about delays.
In response to these ongoing issues, First Student issued an apology and admitted they have faced challenges regarding timely deliveries and driver availability. To mitigate the situation, the company is bringing in out-of-state drivers and vehicles, as well as implementing incentives to attract qualified drivers.
In light of the problems, the school district is considering financial penalties against First Student to ensure accountability. The transportation issues are not new; they have persisted since the company assumed control of specialized transportation services in June. In response to the growing concerns, the district issued a formal notice of concern demanding a corrective action plan from First Student.
Parents have reported numerous incidents of their children being dropped off late or taken to incorrect locations, escalating distress within families and among school staff. As the situation continues to evolve, parents are hoping for a swift resolution that will ensure their children receive the reliable and safe transportation they need.
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Additional Resources
- NBC Connecticut
- Wikipedia: School Bus
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- Encyclopedia Britannica: Transportation Services
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- Google News: New Britain School Bus Problems
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