The Oakland Unified School District is introducing the first fleet of all-electric school buses in the country, setting an example for transitioning away from diesel buses that contribute to pollution.
Starting from the beginning of the school year on Monday, the district’s 74 EV buses will be responsible for transporting all 1,300 special education children in the district. In contrast to other school districts, OUSD provides transportation exclusively for special needs students, while offering free passes for AC Transit buses to the rest of the student population.
The new buses have multiple benefits. They reduce greenhouse gas emissions and provide a way for parents and schools to track the exact location of children through an integrated platform. Additionally, these buses can contribute power to California’s grid during periods of non-use.
Approximately 27 million children in the United States rely on yellow school buses as their mode of transportation to school annually. Sam Shenkman, a student from Half Moon Bay, has developed a deep affection for buses and has been a regular rider for quite some time. However, this has raised concerns among his parents.
Sam’s parents have concerns about his developmental disability. Similar to many children who have special needs, Sam faces difficulties with communication. After he arrived home, he struggled to communicate with his parents about his experience on the bus.
His mother remembered a time when the school bus had a flat tire, causing Sam to arrive at school two hours late. It was quite unsettling to be unaware of Sam’s whereabouts or the location of the bus.
Furthermore, the emissions, particularly from older diesel engines, pose a threat to both human health and the environment. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, around 500,000 school buses in the U.S. are powered by diesel fuel, resulting in over five million tons of greenhouse gas emissions annually. Diesel vehicle emissions can lead to heart and lung issues.
The 74 buses are known for their peaceful atmosphere, cool air, and exceptional comfort. Raney emphasized that the district took the necessary steps to ensure that there were sufficient buses available for all special needs children to benefit from. Oakland prioritizes equity, as she explained, with a focus on providing every special needs child with an equal opportunity to learn. Additionally, diesel buses were placing them in a less favorable position.
Source: CBS News