A proposition on this year’s school budget ballot will ask voters to authorize the purchase of 6 school buses and 2 student-transport minivans. The total purchase would not exceed $1,513,315.
The buses included in the proposition are diesel and would complete a useful lifespan before the district is required by New York State law to fully transition to a zero-emission fleet by the year 2035. The law also requires all school bus purchases be electric starting July 1, 2027.
If the bus purchasing proposition is defeated, no new buses, diesel or electric, will be purchased by the district. The district would need to continue utilizing its oldest and least efficient buses for another year, which could require more costly repairs to maintain.
In February, F-M conducted trial runs with an electric bus and its performance fell short of expectations. Learn more about electric bus trial run results here.