New Britain, September 3, 2025
News Summary
Parents of special needs students in New Britain are expressing frustration over significant transportation issues with First Student, the contracted bus service. Complaints include late pickups and drop-offs, as well as children being taken to incorrect schools. One parent recounted a distressing experience when her son was lost for hours, highlighting the emotional distress caused by these transport failures. The school district is responding with potential penalties against First Student and is seeking better communication. The company has acknowledged its shortcomings and is taking steps to recruit more drivers.
New Britain – Parents of special needs students in New Britain are voicing their frustration after encountering significant transportation issues with First Student, the bus company responsible for providing services contracted by the city. The problems have arisen just a week into the new school year, with a growing number of complaints regarding the timeliness and accuracy of school bus operations.
Some parents have reported late pickups and drop-offs, while others have experienced more concerning incidents, including their children being taken to the wrong schools altogether. One parent, Somers McCray, detailed a harrowing experience with her son, who has autism. After his school day ended at 3:30 p.m. in Waterbury, he did not arrive home as expected. Upon inquiring with the dispatcher, McCray learned that the GPS tracking for the bus had failed, leaving her worried about her son’s whereabouts.
Through the use of iPhone locator technology, McCray discovered that her son was located nearly 40 miles away in Danbury. This prompted her to coordinate with both the dispatcher and the bus driver to finally reunite with her son at a 7-Eleven store in Southington. Upon arriving home, her son expressed feelings of fear, exhaustion, hunger, and discomfort due to the journey.
Another parent, Lilly Reyes, has also experienced distressing transportation issues with her son, who is nonverbal and requires a wheelchair. On one occasion, due to the driver lacking the necessary paperwork, her son was taken to the wrong school and did not arrive until 10:45 a.m. at a location in Plainville instead of his intended destination in Killingly. The impact of these delays has been particularly troubling for Reyes’s son, as they have led to episodes of self-harm and emotional dysregulation. She has also faced challenges when her son’s bus broke down, leaving him waiting at school for two hours.
Superintendent Dr. Tony Gasper acknowledged that communication has been a primary concern and admitted that First Student was unprepared for the beginning of the school year. With students returning home hours later than scheduled due to late buses, the district is actively seeking more effective ways to keep parents informed about transportation delays. In response to the situation, First Student has issued an apology and acknowledged having problems with timely deliveries and driver availability.
To address the driver shortage, First Student has begun recruiting out-of-state drivers and deploying additional vehicles. They are also implementing incentive programs to attract qualified drivers. In addition, the New Britain School District is contemplating financial penalties against First Student as a measure to ensure accountability for the lack of reliable transportation services.
Since First Student took over the contract for specialized transportation services in June, the issues have persisted, prompting the district to send a formal notice of concern to the company along with a demand for a corrective action plan. As parents continue to report incidents of their children being dropped off late or taken to incorrect locations, the situation remains a source of heightened distress for both families and school staff.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are parents in New Britain experiencing with the bus service?
Parents are facing significant issues with First Student, including late pickups and drop-offs, and children being taken to the wrong schools. There have been reports of children being delayed for hours and experiencing emotional distress as a result.
What actions is the school district taking regarding the bus service problems?
The New Britain School District is actively addressing the situation by potentially imposing financial penalties on First Student, seeking effective communication with parents, and requiring the company to present a corrective action plan.
How is First Student responding to the issues raised by the parents?
First Student has apologized for the transportation issues and acknowledged their challenges with timely deliveries and driver availability, stating they are bringing in out-of-state drivers and implementing incentives to attract more qualified personnel.
Key Features of the Transportation Issues in New Britain
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Late Pickups and Drop-offs | Students returning home hours after scheduled times. |
| Wrong School Drop-offs | Children being taken to incorrect schools or locations. |
| Emotional Impact | Parents reporting increased stress and emotional distress in their children. |
| District Response | Pursuing penalties and corrective actions against First Student. |
| First Student’s Measures | Hiring out-of-state drivers and offering incentives to attract employees. |
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Additional Resources
- NBC Connecticut
- Wikipedia: School Bus
- WFSB
- Google Search: School Transportation Issues
- WTNH
- Google Scholar: School Bus Service Issues
- NBC Connecticut
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Transportation Services
- CT Insider
- Google News: New Britain School Bus Problems
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