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Elizabeth district outlines fleet upgrades, announces $3.889 million EPA grant for electric buses
Summary
Transportation director presented a department overview including fleet counts, new GPS and AI camera systems and an EPA grant of about $3,889,000 to buy five 54‑seat and four 20‑seat electric buses plus charging stations, with first deliveries expected in spring.
The Elizabeth Public Schools transportation department told the school board on Jan. 22 that it has modernized routing, installed live GPS tracking and AI dash cameras, and will receive a federal EPA grant to convert part of its fleet to electric buses.
"Under the EPA grant, the EBOE is going to receive approximately $3,889,000 representing 100% grant funding to acquire five electric 54‑seater type C school buses and four electric 20‑seater type B school buses," Director of Transportation Mike Riccio (introduced as Mr. Rijo) said. He added the grant also covers charging stations and that the first batch of electric buses is expected this spring.
Riccio outlined the department’s staffing and equipment: 44 full‑time drivers, 10 substitute drivers, 46 multipurpose bus attendants and a total fleet of 59 district vehicles including 53 54‑passenger buses and two wheelchair‑accessible buses. He described new in‑cab tablets for drivers, an upgraded routing system that issues pick‑up letters and automated alerts, five interior HD cameras per bus plus exterior cameras to record motorists who violate school bus stop signs, and AI‑powered dash cameras that provide real‑time video, GPS tracking and automated driver coaching.
Riccio also described safety features now in use: child‑detection sensors on the front and rear of buses and an in‑cab alarm that requires drivers to press a "child check" button within a minute of shutting off a bus. The district operates 302 routes, 45 of which are staffed and run in‑house for students with special needs; the remainder are contracted to vendors.
Why it matters: The grant will allow the district to replace older diesel buses with electric vehicles and install charging infrastructure at no capital cost to the district. The combination of cameras, GPS and child‑check systems represents a suite of investments the district says are intended to improve safety and incident response.
Board members asked whether parents can track buses in real time. Riccio said the parent app provides an alert when a district‑owned bus is five minutes from a stop, but full live tracking is not available for contracted buses; he said the district will continue to pursue broader integration.
Next steps: The district expects initial deliveries this spring and to continue integrating routing and trip systems over the coming year.
