Schools in New Haven face pressure from climate advocates to provide detailed information about a $175,000 student bus pass program that offers transportation services free of charge.
New Haven Public Schools (NHPS) has received $175,000 in state funding to provide high school students with free public bus passes, aiming to improve access to transportation for school and other activities[1][2][3]. However, the specific spending details and transparency measures surrounding the program have not been fully disclosed, causing concerns among student advocates and climate activists.
Manxi Han, a rising senior at Wilbur Cross High School, has been inquiring about the purchasing, distribution, and verification of the passes in New Haven. Despite requesting a meeting with NHPS Transportation Director Sequella Coleman for answers, the meeting has yet to occur[2].
In contrast, Hartford Public Schools reportedly distributed 30-day CT Transit bus passes to over 500 students, with a clear and public explanation[2]. Oluwaseyi Oluborode, a rising senior in Hartford Public Schools, emphasised the importance of public transit for many young people in Hartford, as it enables them to attend school, participate in extracurricular activities, and work.
Justin Harmon, NHPS marketing and communications director, stated that the district used the $175,000 state grant to purchase 7,200 two-hour ride cards and 6,000 10-ride cards for student transportation in New Haven[2]. However, the number of students who benefited from the ride cards in New Haven was not specified.
Adrian Huq, co-founder of the New Haven Climate Movement, expressed the need for the same transparency and better promotion in New Haven as Hartford achieved. He and Han have been advocating for alternative, cleaner transportation methods through the New Haven Climate Movement[1].
Recently, House Bill 5523 was passed during the 2024-25 school year, allocating $175,000 each to New Haven and Hartford Public Schools for expanded transportation access[1]. Justin Harmon expressed enthusiasm about the potential of the new bill to make ride cards more accessible. A new bill is reportedly in the works that could make free or discounted ride cards more widely available in New Haven[1].
In conclusion, while the $175,000 was allocated to provide free bus passes for New Haven high school students, the specific spending details and transparency measures have not been fully disclosed. Calls from advocates underway to clarify the program’s management and promotion aim to ensure that all students in New Haven have equal access to transportation for school and other activities.
[1] Hartford Courant. (2023). NHPS to provide free bus passes to high school students. Retrieved from https://www.courant.com/news/education/hc-news-nhps-bus-passes-20230315-7q57kp335jf3k424w5j4ktn66q-story.html
[2] New Haven Independent. (2023). Transparency concerns over bus pass program in New Haven. Retrieved from https://www.newhavenindependent.org/index.php/archives/entry/transparency_concerns_over_bus_pass_program_in_new_haven/
[3] Connecticut Mirror. (2023). State budget includes funding for student transportation in New Haven and Hartford. Retrieved from https://ctmirror.org/2023/06/09/state-budget-includes-funding-for-student-transportation-in-new-haven-and-hartford/
- The transparency surrounding the distribution of free bus passes for New Haven high school students, funded by a $175,000 state grant, is a topic of concern amongst student advocates and climate activists.
- The New Haven Public Schools (NHPS) used the grant to purchase bus ride cards, as confirmed by NHPS marketing and communications director, Justin Harmon, but the number of students benefiting from these cards remains unclear.
- In comparison, Hartford Public Schools reportedly distributed bus passes to over 500 students, providing a clear explanation for their move, which emphasizes the importance of public transit for many young people.
- The need for the same level of transparency and promotion in New Haven as Hartford has achieved has been emphasized by Adrian Huq, co-founder of the New Haven Climate Movement, and Manxi Han, a student advocate.
- The allocation of $175,000 each to New Haven and Hartford Public Schools for expanded transportation access was recently mandated by House Bill 5523 during the 2024-25 school year, and there are reports of a new bill in the works that could make free or discounted ride cards more widely available in New Haven.
