Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Transportation topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
District plans bus replacements, DERA engine disabling and weighing air-conditioning retrofits
Summary
Trustees heard the administration’s plan to replace buses over five years with partial reimbursement, to apply Diesel Emissions Reduction Act (DERA) requirements for engine disablement, and to explore installing air-conditioning retrofits on long-trip buses.
Riverton — The board reviewed a multi-year plan for vehicle replacements and discussed a Diesel Emissions Reduction Act (DERA) reimbursement that requires disabling an engine before funds are released.
The district plans to replace one rear-engine bus with an estimated cost of $234,000, and two gasoline buses for about $439,000; most of those purchases are expected to be partially reimbursable over five years. "That is going to be reimbursable for us over 5 years," the business manager said, adding the district also expects a DERA reimbursement of roughly $52,000 for a bus that required engine disposal.
Trustees asked about adding air-conditioning to activity/long-trip buses. Administration reported retrofit costs in the range of $28,000–$30,000 per unit and said retrofit work could be scheduled when buses are out of service to limit downtime. Board members noted adding retrofits would reduce an available reserve target (the district estimated a $1.4 million reserve plan could drop to about $1.3 million if retrofits are approved).
Why it matters: Replacing aging buses and complying with DERA requirements are recurring capital needs that affect student transportation safety and operating budgets. Adding air conditioning to long-trip buses would address comfort and safety on multi-hour runs but requires capital decisions.
Next steps: Administration will provide more detail on which buses routinely travel long trips and the anticipated downtime and scheduling for retrofits; staff will present an action item if trustees want to proceed with AC retrofits next fiscal year.
