RSCO Transportation Information

This webpage provides important information for families on the transportation options for students attending a school choice program in the Greater Hartford Region.

RSCO Transportation Office

Email: rscotransportation@crec.org | Phone: 860-524-4077 | Website: RSCO Transportation Office

Transportation Zone

The RSCO Transportation Zone establishes borders for transporting students to RSCO School Choice schools and programs within the Greater Hartford Region. See below for the list of towns within the RSCO Transportation Zone. RSCO Transportation Services are available for KG-12th grade students to and from these towns in accordance with RSCO transportation policies.

Transportation Services By Grade Level and Program

Transportation Services for PK Student Attending Magnet Schools (PK3 & PK4) or Open Choice Schools (PK4)

Hartford residents:

• RSCO provides transportation for PK3 and PK4 Hartford resident students who attend magnet schools or Open Choice schools located outside of Hartford.
• Transportation is not provided for PK3 and PK4 Hartford residents attending a magnet school located in Hartford. Hartford families must transport their students to and from a magnet school located in Hartford. The transportation reimbursement stipend is not available to families who transport students to a magnet school located in their town of residence per statute.

Non-Hartford residents:

• RSCO does not provide transportation for PK3 and PK4 non-Hartford resident students who attend a magnet school located outside of their town of residence. Non-Hartford families who transport their PK child to and from a magnet school are eligible for a reimbursement stipend. Complete an online reimbursement form, before June 15, 2024.
• Transportation is not provided for PK3 and PK4 non-Hartford residents who attend a magnet school located in their town of residence. The transportation reimbursement stipend is not available to families who transport students to a magnet school located in their town of residence per statute.

Transportation for Students Attending Magnet Schools (KG-12)

Students who reside INSIDE the transportation zone:

Transportation is provided to students who live in one of the towns within the transportation zone but may vary depending on student’s residence and bus routing as follows:

• Neighborhood stop is located in or near the student’s neighborhood.
• Centralized bus stops in or near the student’s resident town, often located in a public place. These stops generally are not within a walkable distance from students’ homes.
• Students who enroll in a magnet school within their local district will receive in-district transportation. For additional information, contact your district’s transportation office.

Students who reside OUTSIDE the transportation zone:

Students who do not live in one of the towns in the transportation zone should pursue the following options:

• Contact RSCO Transportation to discuss dropping off and picking up their child from an existing centralized bus stop.
• Provide transportation to and from the magnet school. Parents/guardians that use this option are eligible to receive a $5 per day reimbursement, that is based on the student’s attendance and is mailed during the summer months. To receive the reimbursement, parents/guardians must:
1. Transport their child for the entire school year, and
2. Complete an on-line reimbursement form, before June 15, 2024.

Transportation Services for Students Attending Open Choice Schools (KG - 12)

Transportation is provided but may vary depending on the Open Choice District and bus routing as follows:

• Neighborhood stop is located in or near the student’s neighborhood.
• Centralized bus stops in or near the student’s resident town, often located in a public place. These stops generally are not within a walkable distance from students’ homes.
• The towns of Plainville and Wethersfield provide transportation services for Hartford Open Choice students attending their schools.

Transport Services for Students Attending the Connecticut Technical Education and Career System (CTECS) (9-12)

A.I. Prince Technical High School

Hartford residents:

• Transportation is provided by Hartford Public Schools. Neighborhood bus stops are located in or near the student’s neighborhood.

Non-Hartford residents:

• RSCO transportation is provided for students who live in the RSCO transportation zone.

E.C. Goodwin and Howell Cheney Technical High School

Hartford residents:

• Transportation is provided by RSCO. Centralized bus stops are located in or near the student’s resident town often located in a public place. These stops generally are not within a walkable distance from students’ homes.

Non-Hartford residents:

• A student’s resident town provides transportation. Towns do not provide transportation to all technical high schools. Please contact your local school district to determine if transportation is provided.

Transportation Services for Students Attending Agricultural Science and Technology Education (ASTE) Centers (9-12)

Transportation is provided to Hartford residents.

GPS Navigation Information for Parents

We know buses can sometimes run late or you might just want to know the location of your child’s bus! Parents and guardians are now able to locate their child’s bus in real time through new apps that are available to families based on an arrangement with our transportation contractors (First Student, DATTCO, and Transportation Management Solutions (TMS)).

Below is a brief description of each school bus tracking app and the corresponding contractor. To register for the app, please go to the School Vehicle Tracking App link and select your child’s assigned bus contractor.

• FirstView - First Student utilizes FirstView, a vehicle tracking and parent communications app that is available on your smartphone or desktop. This app provides live tracking, vehicle proximity notifications, and custom alert handling for your student’s transportation. View additional information on downloading the FirstViewApp
• Zonar MyView – Dattco’s tracking app provides a real-time viewing, map-based vehicle locator, and has an easy-to-use mobile app that allows you to locate your child’s vehicle at any time. View additional information on downloading the Zonal MyView tracking app
• WheresTheBus – TMS has partnered with WheresTheBus, a vehicle tracking app that allows families to precisely know when their child’s vehicle will arrive at the bus stop. The app displays real-time minutes and miles the vehicle is from the assigned bus stop.

Transportation Routing Process

RSCO Transportation utilizes state-of-the art routing software to create efficient bus routes and bus stops that minimize travel time and distance. The goal of the system is to provide transportation that is safe and reliable. The RSCO Transportation Zone/Area is significant and, although we do our best to establish routes and stops that are as convenient as possible, there may be instances where the established route or stop may need further review based on communications from families.

Bus Route/Bus Stop Change Request Process and Appeal Process

Bus Route/Bus Stop Change Request Process:

• Families have the opportunity to request a change in a bus route or stop by submitting a Change Request Form.
• The change request is reviewed by the RSCO Transportation Office and is either approved or denied.
• RSCO Transportation makes every effort to accommodate a request provided it meets the RSCO Transportation Guidelines.

Bus Route/Bus Stop Appeal Process:

If a change request is denied, families may appeal the decision by following the process indicated below.

1. First Level Appeal: Parent/Guardian or a student (18 years of age or older) may appeal a denied change request to the RSCO Transportation Office as follows:
• Submit a written request to appeal the change request decision to the RSCO Transportation office by:
1. email to rscotransportation@crec.org; or
2. mail to the RSCO Transportation Office at 111 Charter Oak Avenue, Hartford CT 06106.
• The written request must include detailed reasons for the appeal.
• The RSCO Transportation Office will promptly review the appeal and notify the family of the decision in writing.
1. If the appeal is approved, the change request will be implemented within 72 hours.
2. If the appeal is denied, the parent/guardian, or student (18 years of age or older) will be notified by telephone and in writing that the appeal was denied.
2. Second Level Appeal: If a parents/guardian or student (18 years of age or older) is not satisfied with the first level appeal decision, they may request a second level appeal to be reviewed by the Regional School Choice Office (RSCO) as follows:
• Submit a written request for a second appeal to the RSCO Transportation Office by:
1. email to rscotransportation@crec.org; or
2. mail to the RSCO Transportation Office at 111 Charter Oak Avenue, Hartford CT 06106.
• The second level appeal request should include any additional information and/or reasons (if applicable) for the second appeal.
• The RSCO Transportation Office will submit the appeal request and supporting documentation to RSCO for review and a final decision.
• RSCO will review the appeal and will either approve or deny the appeal request and communicate the decision to the RSCO Transportation Office.
• The RSCO Transportation Office will notify the family of RSCO’s decision in writing:
1. If the appeal is approved, the change request will be implemented within 72 hours.
2. If the appeal is denied, the parent/guardian, or student (18 years of age or older) will be notified by telephone and in writing that the appeal was denied.
• The decision rendered by RSCO is final.