Unionville-Chadds Ford School District directors are looking to buy two new diesel-powered buses costing a combined $ 283,050. The issue was discussed briefly during the Aug.14 work session. The new diesel buses are scheduled for a July 2024 delivery and go into service for the 2024-2025 school year.
James Whitesell, director of facilities for the district, told the directors the district usually looks at replacing four buses per year but only two this year because “We want to evaluate our electric bus pilot program before making the decision of either more electric or more diesel.”
He added that the district does not want to fall behind in replacing vehicles that have reached the end of their usefulness to the district. The new buses under consideration are diesel, but the district has the infrastructure for charging electric vehicles. However, those chargers were not energized this past weekend as scheduled because PECO was still dealing with problems from the Aug. 7 storm.
Whitesell also said electric buses being considered aren’t completely built yet but should be ready for delivery in mid-to-late September. Meanwhile, an electric bus is scheduled to be delivered later this month, about Aug. 22, for mechanic and driver training.
He continued by saying the cost of diesel buses has increased 13 percent over last year to $141,525 each and “is consistent with what we believe will continue to happen. The cost of diesel buses will continue to increase while the cost of electric buses will decrease.
And because only two buses are scheduled to be replaced this year, six will be considered next year to stay on track with the average of four buses per year. Whether those six next year will be electric or diesel will be determined after an evaluation.
About Rich Schwartzman
Rich Schwartzman has been reporting on events in the greater Chadds Ford area since September 2001 when he became the founding editor of The Chadds Ford Post. In April 2009 he became managing editor of ChaddsFordLive. He is also an award-winning photographer.
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