FUN FACT:
NEW SCHOOL BUSES SUPERCHARGE OUR TRANSPORTATION FLEET aldwin-Whitehall BALDWIN-WHITEHALL SCHOOL DISTRICT NEWS
This year, two new 2027 Blue Bird All American electric school buses( ESBs) are being added to our transportation fleet. These ultramodern buses will help Baldwin-Whitehall greatly reduce vehicle emissions and improve cost efficiency while safely transporting students.
While the vehicles look similar to traditional diesel-powered school buses, they’ re fueled by electricity provided by rapid charging stations. It takes about two hours to fully charge a bus, and a full charge can power an 84-passenger bus for around 125 miles before it needs to recharge.
Grant funding from Duquesne Light has enabled BWSD to install two charging stations so far, and two additional stations could be added in the future.
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Blue Bird also provided BWSD bus drivers with operator training for these new vehicles on April 21st, with additional training scheduled for August of this year.
As a requirement of the grant funding that made this initiative possible, Baldwin-Whitehall has retired two of its older diesel buses, which will further reduce road emissions. The District’ s current transportation fleet includes 49 buses, 10 mini-buses, and 13 vans.
“ Thanks to the increased efficiencies of these new vehicles, we expect to save around $ 5,000 to $ 6,000 dollars per year in fuel, parts, and maintenance. That adds up to a total savings of between $ 60,000 and $ 72,000 per bus, based on a school bus’ s typical 12-year lifespan,” said Baldwin-Whitehall Transportation Manager Edward Dini.
FUN FACT:
As of 2025, over 5,000 ESBs were in operation in the U. S., with another 14,000 committed by over 1,500 school districts nationwide!