Stockton Unified approves transportation plan, eyes 50 electric buses with $26 million in grants

The Stockton Unified School District Board of Trustees unanimously approved the district'9s 2025-26 transportation plan, which includes an effort to expand high-school routes, ongoing negotiations with the regional transit agency (RTD), and a grant-driven purchase program for electric buses.

A district transportation official presenting on behalf of Director Catherine Baghese told the board the department currently provides roughly 1,500 general-education and 1,500 special-education rides and operates both fixed stops and door-to-door services for students whose IEPs require it. "We currently provide approximately transportation services and support for about 1,500 general ed students and as well as approximately 1,500 special education students," the presenter said.

The presenter said the district has secured more than $26,000,000 in federal, state and local grants to acquire infrastructure and 50 electric school buses as part of an air-quality and sustainability initiative. Trustees asked how the district would staff additional routes and whether the district would replace RTD service; the presenter said SUSD is not removing RTD but plans an incremental return of high-school routes as staffing and negotiations allow.

On funding, the presenter said purchases would come from the transportation general budget, which had been partially freed by prior one-time funds. The board discussed route boundaries (one-mile walking limit within a high school'9s boundary), coordination with county SELPA for special-education service and the use of third-party vendors when necessary.

Trustees voted to approve the plan; staff will return with implementation details on routes, staffing and specific vehicle purchases.

What happens next: District staff will continue negotiations with RTD, finalize stop locations and present budget-level details for bus purchases and charging infrastructure.