“The New York State [Department of Transportation]
is very strict about what has to be on a school bus,” he said. “If the federal grants go away, it would put our district in a very vulnerable state. We are currently maxed out with our energy output, and if we were to add anymore [electric] buses we would have to put all new infrastructure here that would cost the district and local taxpayers millions of dollars. “We would also have to look for alternative means for
sporting events, field trips and any other trips outside of to and from school transportation,” he continued. The Electrification Coalition notes ESB procurement can take up to 18 months. This includes installing the charging infrastructure and getting enough power from the local utility. The organization noted Climate Mayors Electric Vehicle Purchasing Collaborative offers coop- erative purchasing contracts for Blue Bird, IC Bus, Lion Electric, and Thomas Built Buses. The Collaborative also includes resources for the procurement process, policy guidance and a variety of other informative resources. The Coalition advises districts to identify the ap-
propriate type of EV charging stations, determine their locations and explore charging software to help achieve electricity cost savings. Three types of charging stations include Level 1 (120V),
Level 2 (240V), and direct current fast charging (DCFC). Engagement with the local utility is critical to assist
with the connection process for EV charging equip- ment, determine whether infrastructure upgrades are needed, determine charging rates and best charging times, and available software platforms.
Other Options A video interview conducted by Steven Whaley,
Blue Bird’s alternative fuels manager for eastern North America, and Anthony Jackson, executive director of transportation at Bibb County School District in Georgia, highlights operational benefits of propane school buses, including the elimination of diesel regeneration issues, reduced maintenance costs due to fewer parts and quiet- er operation. Bibb County School District purchased 31 propane buses in 2014, with the driving factor being issues with regeneration on the diesel engines. Benefits derived included no need for NOx sensors or having to replace particulate matter filters. Bus drivers love that the bus is much quieter com-
pared to diesel buses, Jackson said. Now, most of the district’s fleet is comprised of
propane-fueled buses, with propane fuel provided by Bobtail loads to the district’s four 1,000-gallon tanks. There also are diesel buses and those running on un- leaded gasoline are used for field trips.
Continued on pg. 28 › (925) 938-6565
Contact@PawarTransportation.com
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At Pawar Transportation, we prioritize student safety and compliance with the highest standards. Our services are tailored to meet SB88 requirements, ensuring accountability and peace of mind for school districts and families alike.
• SB88 Compliant Services
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