Atascadero transportation chief outlines aging fleet, $3.38 million in electric‑bus grants and short‑term diesel options

Parents and a community member urged the board to pursue electric buses and solar canopies; later the district’s transportation team briefed trustees on an aging fleet, active grant awards and interim replacement options.

Why it matters: Transportation affects student safety, special education routes and daily operations. District staff said the fleet’s age and mechanical problems are forcing frequent roadside rescues and that at least seven buses likely need replacement within 24 months to maintain current service.

Public comment urging electrification At the meeting’s public‑comment portion, community member Ronnie DeCoster praised the board’s prior vote authorizing staff to pursue grant funding for electric buses and urged the district to “consider directing district staff to research the availability of grants or other available funding for constructing solar canopy canopies at our schools,” noting nearby districts already use canopies to reduce utility costs.

District presentation: fleet condition, routes and grants Transportation staff reported the district’s full fleet includes 24 yellow buses (15 larger, 9 smaller) and eight white‑fleet vans. Fourteen buses are 25 years or older; eight are 10 years or older; one is 8 years old and one is 4 years old. Staff categorized vehicles as fully operational, operational but needing ongoing maintenance, or nonoperational and beyond repair. Nonoperational buses are difficult to surplus and carry insurance costs while they sit.

Special education routes were a focus. Staff said there are three special‑education routes; only one small bus was described as fully reliable for those routes, and several special‑education buses require repair or are nonoperational. Assistant Director James Duran said breakdowns can occur one to two times per week and sometimes “come in waves,” requiring rescue buses and causing disruptions.

Grants and timeline Business services staff said the district has secured $3,380,000 in grant funding for an electric bus initiative and is awaiting two pending awards that could add approximately $400,000. District staff estimate delivery and build‑out time for electric buses and charging infrastructure at about 9–12 months for vehicles and longer for infrastructure; realistically a full deployment could take about a year to 18 months. Staff emphasized that while grant money could cover a portion, the district will need to decide how much general‑fund contribution it will commit.

Short‑term recommendations Transportation and business staff told trustees they will return with proposals to: purchase vetted used diesel buses to maintain reliability; consider adding white‑fleet vans to expand activity coverage; and present an agendized package showing final grant totals, project costs and a recommended scope before asking the board to authorize the electric bus project. Staff said used diesel replacements would be presented for board authorization at a forthcoming meeting.

Technical and environmental questions raised Trustees asked about battery life cycles, disposal and reuse. Staff said battery packs in electric buses have a typical life of about 10–12 years, and manufacturers increasingly replace individual cells rather than entire packs; some used battery packs can be repurposed for lower‑demand energy storage. Trustees also discussed whether existing solar arrays could support bus charging and whether PPAs and site specifics limit moving power between sites.

Ending: next steps and schedule Transportation staff said they will bring a diesel‑replacement proposal to the next board meeting and will return with final grant totals for the electric‑bus package when the pending grants are awarded. Staff emphasized the district intends a blended fleet—diesel and electric—to maintain long‑range trip capacity while deploying electric vehicles for shorter daily routes.