Specific bus stops are selected based on site safety conditions (sight line, ability to pull in and out of pickup points safely, available turnaround if necessary, etc), neighborhood student population and distance between designated bus stops. Any change to a student’s designated bus stop must be made and approved by the Board of Education.
There is a ten (10) minute window before and after a student’s given pickup or drop off time. For example, if a student is told his or her pickup time is 8:30 a.m. this means that the acceptable window for the bus to arrive is 8:20-8:40 a.m. Students should be waiting at the bus stop throughout this period. Please do not call the Bus Company or Board of Education prior to the conclusion of this window. For general bus stops, the bus will stop at the bus stop for thirty seconds (30 seconds) before moving on. For curb to curb stops, the bus will stop for three minutes (3 minutes) before moving on.
Students must be fully visible to the driver! If a student remains inside the house or in a parked car, the driver may not stop. In the event that this occurs, the bus will not return for the student.
Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten students are required to have an adult at the bus stop at all times. The designated person must be visible to the driver (e.g. not waiting inside a car or house). If there is no parent or guardian present upon drop off, the child will be returned to school or the New Britain Police Department. Older siblings riding the same bus may not stand in for parent/guardian. It is strongly urged for an adult to accompany any young child at the bus stop. However, it is not required for students in grade 1 or above. A child of any age who is uncomfortable getting off the bus for any reason upon arriving at the bus stop may request a ride back to school.
While waiting for the bus, stand in the designated spot only. Do not run in the road. Do not go into private yards or driveways. Be respectful of all property near the bus stop. When the bus arrives, board and take a seat promptly, facing forward at all times. Likewise, when the bus drops off, disembark (and cross the street, if applicable) without delay.
Each August, students eligible for transportation are assigned stops based on their home address. If alternate arrangements are needed, parents must contact the school regardless of whether arrangements were made the previous year. This includes special medical requests. Please note that all special medical request must be routed through your school nurse and approved by the District Nurse and Physician.
Routes are posted online, at each school and on the district's Facebook page prior to the first day of school. If you have any questions regarding your child’s assigned bus stop, please call the Board of Education at 860-827-2200. A request for a bus stop change must be made and approved by the Board of Education. Drivers are not authorized to make changes.
The Board of Education provides home to school transportation for all Pre-Kindergarten students to their assigned school. Students in Pre-Kindergarten through twelfth grade who are deemed eligible are assigned corner bus stops, unless special transportation is required due to medical or other reasons.
