TRENTON, NJ – The wheels on the bus go round and round, but for some school buses in New Jersey, they won’t go as far as their diesel-powered counterparts.
The New Jersey legislature has approved a $15 million allocation for the Electric School Bus Program, under S-3044, led by Senators Patrick Diegnan and Linda Greenstein. This three-year program, managed by the Department of Environmental Protection, aims to assess the feasibility and efficiency of replacing diesel-powered school buses with electric ones for student transportation.
Annually, six school districts from northern, central, and southern New Jersey will be chosen for the program, totaling 18 districts over three years. The initiative will evaluate the best strategies for school transportation in the future.
Senator Diegnan highlighted the environmental and safety benefits of electric school buses, noting their potential to significantly reduce harmful emissions and improve children’s health. Senator Greenstein emphasized the importance of transitioning from diesel to electric buses as a safer and more sustainable transport option for children, given the advancements in electric bus technology. This program will explore the viability of a complete shift to electric school buses.