Some GPS Buses Moving, Still No Permanent Bus Parking Solution
By Laura Kostin
Families at Western Middle School may be relieved to hear that some of the school buses parked on campus are moving off-site. For months, Western families have expressed anger and frustration about the number of buses at the school, the loss of recreation space for students, and the damage they have caused to green space. Greenwich Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Toni Jones said approximately 25 buses are being moved from Western, though many still remain.
According to the district’s Communications Director, Jonathan Supranowitz, the buses are being dispersed to St. Paul’s Roman Catholic Church on King Street. Forty-two buses remain at Western, though none are parking on the grass.
The school district was forced to scatter its fleet of school buses across town after switching bus companies. The current bus company, DATTCO, does not have a nearby parking facility to accommodate the buses that serve GPS.
Jones recently said that the buses previously parked at Julian Curtiss School were moved. According to Supranowitz, those buses have also been sent to St. Paul’s. Julian Curtiss parents complained repeatedly that the buses were disruptive, and staff had to move their cars to accommodate them.
Previously, buses were temporarily parked at other locations in town, including Greenwich High School and North Street School.
Supranowitz said the district continues to seek “a more longterm, permanent solution for all of our buses that could save the Town millions of dollars over time.”
