By Laura Kostin
Finding space to park school buses serving the Greenwich Public Schools has been an ongoing challenge for the district since it switched bus companies for the current school year. And a permanent parking solution seems as elusive as ever.
A transportation update posted to the Board of Education’s document management site, BoardDocs shows one of the most ideal options available is off the table.
The district has been twice denied a lease to park the buses on State property under I-95 in Cos Cob. The State’s property has several advantages. It would accommodate all of the buses that serve the district, it’s centrally located and the land is unused.
The first denial letter from the Connecticut Department of Transportation says in part “the Department has determined the storage of commercial vehicles, including school buses, are prohibited within the highway right of way due to their potentially flammable nature.”
The denial is a bit of a head-scratcher, because there is existing vehicle parking for the Cos Cob train station and the Greenwich Historical Society under I-95 as well as parking for the building located at 33 River Road in Cos Cob.
After exploring 44 potential locations, the district reached out to First Selectman Fred Camillo in writing for assistance with an appeal to Governor Ned Lamont to have the CTDOT reconsider the request, along with some clarifying information. But that effort also proved unsuccessful.
The letter from Superintendent Dr. Toni Jones to Mr. Camillo notes, “Since 1969, Connecticut General Statutes §13b-29(b) expressly allow commuter and transit-support parking facilities ‘on, above or under highway rights-of-way.’ Our request aligns with directly with this Statute.”
Dattco, the bus company currently serving GPS, does not own a parking facility nearby. Buses are parked at three locations across Town, Western Middle School, St. Paul’s church and the Old Greenwich Train Station.
