Q&A STN: How do you evaluate the return on investment
for transportation beyond dollars and cents? Chait: We look at safety, reliability, student access,
operational efficiency and the confidence families have in our system. Transportation supports our educational mission, so its value extends beyond traditional financial measures.
Sustainability STN: Regarding those electric school buses, what op-
portunities and challenges has LAUSD experienced? Chait: Transitioning to a zero-emission fleet is an im-
portant investment in both environmental stewardship and student health. Like many districts, we’ve learned that fleet electrifi-
cation requires significant planning, including charging infrastructure, utility coordination, workforce training and long-term capital investment. Those are complex efforts, but they also position us well for the future. In 2019, the Board of Education adopted a pledge to
significantly reduce dependence on fossil fuels by 2030 and to attain 100-percent renewable energy by 2040. Our work to meet these goals has presented multiple challenges, but our staff have creatively turned these challenges into opportunities to expand student re-
sources, test new technologies, and collaborate with governmental and private partners. STN: Beyond environmental benefits, have electric buses changed operations or long-term budgeting? Chait: As our electric fleet continues to expand, we’re gaining valuable experience that will inform long-term planning. Electric buses require a different operational ap- proach, from charging schedules to maintenance practices to infrastructure planning. Over time, those changes have the potential to improve operational efficiency and reduce certain maintenance costs, but thoughtful implementation is essential to realizing those benefits. As an example, LAUSD recently broke ground on the
Sun Valley Bus Garage electrification project, a $72 million investment delivering 180 charging stations, a mix of Level 2 and Level 3 chargers to support 180 electric school buses and an $86 million investment in the fleet itself. The Level 3 chargers include V2G technology, allowing the district to sell stored energy back to the grid during peak demand and charge buses during off-peak hours, helping stabilize the broader grid while reducing costs.
Transportation & Student Success STN: Has LAUSD seen the connection between reli- able transportation and attendance?
Climate solutions are our
specialty We also install luggage boxes, Cameras, GPS, Mirrors, and more
18 School Transportation News • SEPTEMBER 2026
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