Nayeli Figueroa waits for the bus in West Hartford Center on Tuesday, May 20. She is a 17-year-old junior at University High School of Science and Engineering in Hartford. Since she lives over 2 miles away from her high school, she is eligible for school bus transportation. However, Figueroa said the free bus fare program provides her with more transportation options, giving her more opportunities to better herself for college through sports, extracurricular activities and a job. Credit: Daniela Doncel / Connecticut Public