RSCO Transportation

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• Pick-up and Drop-offs
• Bus Rules, Policies, and Guidelines
• Our Commitment to Safety

Pick-up and Drop-offs

F.A.Qs

What if the bus is late or early?
If the bus arrives more than 10 minutes earlier or later than the scheduled time, please call CREC at 860-524-4077 or fill out a complaint report online.

Can parents ride the bus with their child?
No, parents are not allowed on the bus. The bus driver and monitor have to pass extensive record checks to be on the bus with children. CREC does not want to potentially endanger students by allowing unknown people on the bus.

How do I change my child's bus stop?
RSCO Transportation parents/guardians can call the transportation office at 860-524-4077 or submit an online request for a change. Families with students attending Magnet Schools operated by Hartford Public Schools should contact the school first, and the school will contact RSCO Transportation.

Bus Rules, Policies, and Guidelines

At RSCO Transportation, our goal is to provide safe and reliable transportation for students participating in choice programs. To ensure the safety of all students, it’s important that students and their parents/guardians understand and follow the rules and responsibilities outlined below. Adherence to these rules is essential for maintaining eligibility for transportation services.

Parent/Guardian Responsibilities

• Keep information updated: Families should keep their contact information current with their student’s school, RSCO Transportation, and the Hartford Region Open Choice Office (if applicable). This includes emergency contacts, phone numbers, and any changes in residence.
• Review safety rules: Families should review all safety rules with their student, as outlined in the RSCO Transportation Family Information Handbook.
• Supervise young students: For students in PK3 through grade 2, an adult must be present at the bus stop for pickup and drop-off.
• Be aware of the 20-minute window: Families must ensure that their student is at the bus stop 10 minutes before the scheduled time and prepared to wait up to 10 minutes after the scheduled time. If the bus hasn’t arrived after the 20-minute window, contact RSCO Transportation at 860-524-4077 or email rscotransportation@crec.org
• Ensure student safety: Make sure your student is safe until they board the bus, and also once they return home from school. RSCO does not provide door-to-door transportation; most centralized bus stops are not within walking distance of students’ homes.

Student Responsibilities at the Bus Stop and on the Bus

The following behavior is expected of all students transported by RSCO Transportation:

• Be responsible: Act respectfully and responsibly while waiting at the bus stop.
• Be on time: Arrive at the bus stop 10 minutes before the scheduled time and be prepared to wait up to 10 minutes after the scheduled time due to possible traffic or weather delays.
• Stay safe: Wait a safe distance from the road to avoid interfering with traffic.
• Approach safely: Wait until the bus comes to a full stop before approaching it.
• Follow the driver’s signals: Watch for the driver’s signal before crossing or stepping off the curb, even if the bus’s “stop on signal” lights are flashing.
• Take a seat: Find your seat promptly and remain seated for the entire trip.
• Assigned seating: Sit in your assigned seat, if seats have been assigned.
• Be respectful: Behave responsibly and follow the bus driver’s and/or bus monitor’s instructions.
• Keep it quiet: Normal conversation is allowed, but loud or distracting behavior is not.
• No food or drinks: Eating and drinking are not allowed on the bus due to food allergies and choking hazards.
• Note: RSCO Transportation vehicle contractors are not permitted to stop during the bus route for students to use a public restroom.

When leaving the bus, students must...

• Exit safely: Wait until the bus comes to a complete stop before getting off and do so in an orderly manner.
• Follow the driver’s signals: Watch for the driver’s signal before crossing the road, even if the “stop on signal” lights are flashing.
• Stay alert: If crossing the road, look both ways and cross when it’s safe.
• Move away from the bus: Walk away from the bus and road area, using sidewalks whenever possible.
• No loitering: Do not stay around the bus area after getting off.
• For younger students: Parents, guardians, or caregivers must be visible at the bus stop to receive students in grades PK3 through grade 2.
• For older students: For students in grades 3–8, it is recommended that an adult be present to supervise at the bus stop.

Unacceptable behavior

• Spitting, pushing, shoving, fighting, or striking another student or adult.
• Shouting, or other loud distracting behavior or music.
• Throwing articles inside or out of the bus.
• Violating the receiving school district’s policies concerning drugs, weapons, vandalism, theft, or threatening conduct towards fellow students or adults.

F.A.Qs

What happens if there is a behavior issue on the bus?
For the safety of all passengers, students who do not follow the bus rules will be subject to the suspension of bus riding privileges. Drivers will submit discipline referrals to the schools when students misbehave on the bus. The school will investigate and administer discipline. The driver may assign seats.

What if my child leaves something on the bus?
The driver usually holds anything they find on the bus for a few days. Your student should ask the driver for the lost item. You can also call the bus company or the transportation office.

Full RSCO Transportation Guidelines

These Guidelines were developed simultaneously with the Transportation Action Plan in order to implement a Regional Transportation System in accordance with the provisions of the April 2008 Sheff v. O’Neill Stipulation and Proposed Order and the requirements in its accompanying Comprehensive Management Plan (CMP) of December 2008.

Our Commitment to Safety

Student safety is a top priority for RSCO Transportation. We work closely with our transportation providers to support safe and reliable transportation for students, including trained drivers and properly maintained vehicles.

Families are encouraged to contact RSCO Transportation promptly with any concerns about their child’s safety while riding an RSCO-provided school vehicle.

Families, students, schools, drivers, and transportation providers all play an important role in helping ensure a safe ride to and from school.

Drivers

Qualifications before being licensed:

• Must pass a fingerprint record check by state and federal authorities.
• Must pass a Department of Transportation physical examination.
• Must pass a pre-employment drug screen.
• Must pass a Department of Motor Vehicles driving record check.
• Must have 10 hours of training by law, but most have at least 30 hours.
• Must pass a knowledge test at the Department of Motor Vehicles.
• Must pass a driving test (pre-trip inspection, static course, and on the road) with a Connecticut Motor Vehicle Inspector.
• Must pass a Department of Children and Families screening.

Maintaining qualifications during employment:

• Must pass a Department of Transportation physical examination every other year.
• Subject to random drug and alcohol screening.
• Subject to post-accident and reasonable suspicion drug and alcohol screening.
• Must pass an annual driving record check.
• Must attend at least six (6) hours of in-service training each year.
• Subject to post-accident training.
• Must pass a driving test with a Connecticut Motor Vehicle Inspector before renewing their license.

Vehicles

All vehicles are inspected, and a report is submitted daily by the vehicle operator. The maintenance department inspects the vehicles every 90 days. A Connecticut Motor Vehicle Inspector inspects each vehicle annually.

Safety Checks

Transportation providers have safety personnel who may ride with or observe drivers along their routes. RSCO Transportation also has a Safety Supervisor who monitors bus stops and routes to help ensure student safety.

Video Cameras and Global Positioning Systems (GPS)

Many vehicles used for RSCO Transportation are equipped with video cameras and GPS. Video cameras help monitor student and driver behavior on the bus and may be used to review safety concerns or incidents. GPS allows RSCO Transportation to monitor a vehicle’s location, including where and when it stops, how long it remains at a stop, and its speed. These tools help support safe and reliable transportation for students.

School Bus Safety Week

National School Bus Safety Week is held each year during the third full week of October and provides an opportunity to reinforce important school bus safety practices with students. RSCO Transportation and its transportation providers are available to assist schools with school bus safety training and activities. For more information or to request assistance, please contact RSCO Transportation at (860) 524-4077.

For more on school bus safety, please check out:

• National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
• National School Transportation Association (NSTA)