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Towns warn electric school bus mandate will sharply increase local road and bridge costs; utilities say many districts can begin phased electrification
Summary
Town highway superintendents said electric school buses are heavier and will shorten pavement life and raise maintenance costs; utilities told Assembly committees some districts can start electrifying with existing capacity but large fleets will require multiyear upgrades and funding.
Town highway superintendents and local road officials described a sharp and immediate cost pressure if all school districts are required to convert fleets to battery‑electric buses on the state’s current timetable.
Matt Musko, president of the New York State Association of Town Superintendents of Highways and highway superintendent in Chemung County, said early engineering work (conducted by Cornell Local Roads on the association’s request) indicates heavier electric buses will accelerate pavement and subgrade failures on town roads built to lighter standards. Musko provided preliminary cost examples: town pavement maintenance currently can range from roughly $20,000 to $50,000 per mile for surface treatments, but full reconstruction after subgrade failure could be on the order of $500,000 per mile in the worst cases. He used the Town of Clarence as an example, saying its annual pavement maintenance budget of about $666,000 could grow to about $8.5 million if heavier bus traffic and subgrade failures are widespread.
Musko and other highway superintendents also told lawmakers that some local bridges and culverts are posted for lighter loads and could require expensive upgrades if heavier school buses or other heavy electric vehicles begin to use rural routes.
Utility witnesses said there is a mixed picture for school districts. Some districts have enough existing capacity to electrify a portion of their fleets using level‑2 overnight charging for buses and can begin in phases. NYSEG/RG&E said many districts could begin early replacement of a handful of buses without major system upgrades, while also noting that denser districts and larger depots may require distribution or substation investment and that the companies have included specific capacity projects in proactive planning filings. Several utilities urged districts and municipalities to engage utilities early so that capacity needs can be forecast and funded in advance rather than as emergency retrofit work.
Ending: Local officials asked the legislature for clear funding paths and coordination with state planning so towns and school districts are not left with disproportionate costs. Utilities and superintendents both asked for earlier information sharing and joint feasibility studies to align timelines, funding and technical requirements.
