Greenwich Schools Denied Parking for School Buses Under I95

District questions state's decision citing 'potentially flammable nature' of buses despite other vehicles parked under highway

Apr. 16, 2026 at 2:12pm

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A highly stylized, abstract grid of brightly colored school bus icons in neon shades of blue, green, and orange, conceptually representing the transportation challenges facing Greenwich Public Schools.The vibrant visual representation of Greenwich's school bus parking dilemma reflects the community's ongoing struggle to find a practical solution that balances safety, cost, and convenience.Cos Cob Today

Greenwich Public Schools has been searching for a location to park its fleet of about 80 school buses, including small yellow buses. The district requested to lease state right-of-way land under I95 in Cos Cob, but the Connecticut Department of Transportation denied the request, citing federal guidance that prohibits the storage of 'flammable, explosive or hazardous material' under highways due to safety concerns. The district is now questioning the decision, noting that other vehicles are parked under I95 in Greenwich and surrounding towns.

Why it matters

The denial of bus parking under I95 has forced Greenwich Public Schools to park buses in multiple locations across town, including a grass field at Western Middle School that has become a source of frustration for neighbors and inconvenience for teachers and students. The district is seeking a reconsideration of the state's decision, arguing that the federal framework is being inconsistently applied.

The details

In a June 2025 letter, the Connecticut Department of Transportation cited a November 2023 Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) memorandum that considers 'the manufacture or storage of flammable, explosive or hazardous material within the highway right of way as presumptively a safety hazard.' The department determined that the storage of school buses is prohibited under this guidance due to their 'potentially flammable nature.' However, the district's presentation notes that there are numerous locations where vehicles are parked under I95 in Greenwich and other Connecticut towns, though none have a fleet of buses.

  • In fall 2024, the district's previous transportation vendor threatened to cease operations by December 2024 if the district did not renegotiate the existing bus contract.
  • In May 2025, the Greenwich Board of Education voted to move the Greenwich High School start time from 8:30am to 7:45am for the 2025-2026 school year, saving roughly $1.9 million in transportation costs.
  • In June 2025, the Connecticut Department of Transportation denied the district's request to lease state right-of-way land under I95 in Cos Cob to park school buses.

The players

Ben Branyan

Greenwich Public Schools' Chief Financial and Administrative Officer, who is presenting the issue to the Board of Education.

Kathleen Stowe

Former member of the Greenwich Board of Education, who noted that the district was 'forced into this situation' due to budget cuts.

Toni Jones

Superintendent of Greenwich Public Schools.

Connecticut Department of Transportation

The state agency that denied the district's request to lease land under I95 for school bus parking.

Federal Highway Administration

The federal agency that issued guidance in 2023 prohibiting the storage of 'flammable, explosive or hazardous material' within highway right-of-ways.

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What they’re saying

“FHWA Guidance Does NOT Prohibit Parking Under Highways.”

— Ben Branyan, Chief Financial and Administrative Officer, Greenwich Public Schools

“It's important to remember, we were forced into this situation...We are always on the receiving end of the anger. ...We chose these start times because it was the only way we could optimize the utilization of the buses, which leads to less money.”

— Kathleen Stowe, Former Board of Education member

What’s next

The Greenwich Board of Education will discuss the issue and Branyan's request for the Connecticut Department of Transportation to reconsider its decision at a meeting on Thursday, April 16, 2026.

The takeaway

This case highlights the challenges faced by school districts in balancing transportation costs and community concerns, as well as the need for consistent application of federal guidelines regarding the use of highway right-of-ways.