BUUSD removes electric buses amid safety concerns from Lion Electric fires

The Barre Unified Union School District (BUUSD) Board Special Meeting on April 16, 2025, addressed the recent removal of electric school buses from the Barre Town School District. The decision was made out of caution following safety concerns related to reported fires involving Lion Electric Buses in North America. Although the BUUSD's buses were not directly involved, the district opted to remove them as a precautionary measure.

Stacy Emerson, the general manager for Student Transportation of America in Vermont and New Hampshire, clarified that the electric buses were not funded by taxpayer money and their removal did not impact transportation operations or costs for BUUSD students. The buses were purchased using funds from a 2019 clean diesel settlement between Volkswagen and the federal government, and they had been in service since 2020 without incident.

Emerson emphasized that safety remains the top priority for the transportation service. She noted that the company had been monitoring the buses regularly and had taken proactive steps to ensure student safety. However, communication with Lion Electric Company has been challenging due to the company's bankruptcy and staff reductions, which has hindered the ability to address safety concerns.

Despite the removal of the electric buses, Emerson assured the board and community that school bus routes continue to operate normally, and there has been no financial impact on taxpayers. She urged the community to be cautious about misinformation circulating on social media regarding the situation, reinforcing that student safety is paramount regardless of the type of fuel used for the buses.

The meeting concluded with a commitment to maintaining open communication with the community and ensuring the continued safety and reliability of student transportation services.