This report was developed in partnership with members of the cross-agency DC School Connect Working Group, along with input from students, parents, school staff, advocates, and experts. It provides an in-depth analysis of the DC School Connect (DCSC) transit program designed to address student safety during their commutes to and from school as well as ideas on possible future approaches for DCSC. 

DC School Connect was launched by the Department of For-Hire Vehicles (DFHV) in the 2021-22 school year with American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding in Safe Passage Priority Areas in Wards 7 and 8 in response to community concerns about student safety. The Fiscal Year 2025 (FY25) Budget Support Act (BSA) required the Office of the Deputy Mayor for Education (DME) to establish a Working Group to explore the future of the DCSC program.