Amid Cold Snap, Fewer Children at Bus Stops

With the current cold spell hovering over Fairfield, town streets and corners may look deserted—and school bus stops are no exception.

Officials with First Student, the busing company that takes local youngsters to and from Fairfield schools, say they have seen a steep decline in the number of kids waiting on the corner each morning.

"We usually see it during the winter," said Daniel, a dispatcher with First Student in the Fairfield region.

But this winter has proved more gelid than past seasons, with temperatures slipping into single-digit territory, and "real feel" temperatures reaching into the negatives, according to the National Weather Service.

And the early morning—with blustery weather and little sun—may be the worst time to stand idle while waiting for a bus.

Daniel said local routes do not change as a result, but noted more cars at the schools can cause congestion.

"Traffic is an issue," he said.

The number of children riding the bus returns to a normal level each spring, he added.