New Britain, September 3, 2025
News Summary
Parents in New Britain are expressing growing frustration with First Student, the contracted bus company, due to significant issues such as late pickups and incorrect drop-offs. Incidents involving special needs students have raised serious concerns, prompting local education officials to seek improvements and impose potential penalties on the company. As communication issues persist, families face increased anxiety over the transportation of their children.
New Britain – Parents in New Britain are facing increasing frustration just one week into the school year, due to significant issues with First Student, the bus company contracted by the city for student transportation. Complaints have emerged over late pickups, incorrect drop-offs, and troubling incidents involving special needs students, raising concerns about the adequacy of services provided for these vulnerable populations.
Two notable incidents highlight the challenges parents are facing. One mother reported that her son, who has autism, was mistakenly taken to the wrong location, which caused her considerable distress. Despite his school day ending in Waterbury at 3:30 p.m., he did not arrive home at the expected time. After reaching out to dispatch, the mother learned that the bus had lost GPS tracking, leading her to track her son using iPhone locator technology and revealing he was nearly 40 miles away in Danbury. This led to a complicated and concerning reunion at a local 7-Eleven, where her son disclosed feelings of fear, fatigue, hunger, and pain due to the unnecessary travel.
In another case, a mother of a nonverbal son who uses a wheelchair reported her child was mistakenly driven to the wrong school because the driver lacked the necessary paperwork. Her son was meant to be transported to a school in Killingly but instead arrived late at a Plainville school, at 10:45 a.m. The emotional toll on the child included instances of self-harm and causes of dysregulation. Further complicating matters, the mother faced delays when her son was left stranded at school for two hours after the bus broke down on the highway.
In light of these ongoing communication issues and the evident unpreparedness of First Student, local education officials, including Superintendent Dr. Tony Gasper, have recognized the need for improvement. He acknowledged that late buses have resulted in students returning home hours after their scheduled times and emphasized the importance of proactive communication with parents regarding delays.
First Student has since issued an apology, admitting the challenges they face with timely deliveries and driver availability. The company is actively bringing in out-of-state drivers and vehicles and implementing incentives to attract more qualified drivers to ensure better service moving forward. Additionally, the school district is exploring financial penalties to hold First Student accountable for any non-compliance with contractual obligations.
The issues with First Student are not entirely new, as they have continued since the company took over the contract for specialized transportation services in June of this year. The district has since issued a formal notice of concern to the company and demanded a corrective action plan to address the ongoing transportation issues affecting students and families.
As parents continue to report additional incidents of their children being dropped off late or at incorrect locations, the persistent transportation troubles have generated increased anxiety among families and school staff alike.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are parents frustrated with First Student?
Parents are frustrated due to late pickups, incorrect drop-offs, and instances where special needs students have been taken to wrong locations.
What specific incidents have occurred?
Some students were taken to the wrong schools, with notable cases involving long delays and significant distress for children, particularly those with special needs.
What actions is the school district taking?
The district is seeking financial penalties against First Student, and they have issued a formal notice of concern, requesting a corrective action plan.
What measures is First Student implementing?
First Student is working to bring in out-of-state drivers and vehicles, and they are implementing incentives to attract qualified drivers for better service.
Key Features of the Transportation Issues
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Bus Company | First Student |
| Type of Issues | Late pickups, incorrect drop-offs, wrong school destinations |
| Locations Affected | New Britain, Waterbury, Killingly, Plainville |
| Parents’ Actions | Formal complaints, tracking children via technology, direct communications with dispatch |
| School District Response | Seeking financial penalties, requesting corrective action plan, aiming for better communication |
| First Student’s Measures | Apology issued, bringing in out-of-state drivers, implementing driver incentives |
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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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