The grant, aimed at enhancing Boston’s fleet of electric school buses, was discussed in detail. The initiative will enable the addition of 125 new 30-passenger electric buses, contributing to the city’s target of 95 electric buses by 2025 and a total of 220 by 2026. This development is part of a larger strategy to reduce local pollution and improve air quality, particularly in areas with high asthma rates.

Oliver Sers Garcia, the Mayor’s Green New Deal Director and Commissioner of the Environment Department, described the partnership with the federal government as a step towards achieving Boston’s clean transportation goals. The significance of the grant was echoed by Superintendent Mary Skipper, who highlighted the vision of the mayor in bringing the city closer to a fully electrified bus fleet. Skipper acknowledged the advocacy of students who have brought attention to climate issues, emphasizing the importance of this development for both current and future generations.

David Cash, the EPA Region One Administrator, provided additional insights into the funding mechanism, explaining its origins from the EPA’s Inflation Reduction Act Clean Heavy-Duty Vehicles program. He noted the bittersweet nature of the announcement, as it marked his last public appearance before retiring from federal service. Cash praised Boston as a leader in adopting clean transportation solutions, noting that the city had already invested in 40 electric buses before receiving this grant, bringing the total to over 200 planned buses. He emphasized the importance of the investment in reducing children’s exposure to diesel fumes and improving public health.

Further elaborating on the collaborative nature of the project, Cash expressed gratitude toward various stakeholders, including teachers, school administrators, and city officials, for their role in securing the funding. He also acknowledged the support of the Congressional Delegation.

Daniel Rosengard, Director of Transportation for Boston Public Schools, reiterated the ambitious goal of fully electrifying the fleet by 2030. He highlighted the work done over the past three years to build the electric school bus fleet and acknowledged the support from various labor partners, Mayor Wu, and Superintendent Skipper. Rosengard emphasized the importance of upgrading the electric infrastructure to ensure successful daily operations of the new buses.

The meeting also addressed the higher upfront costs of electric buses compared to diesel models. A 30-passenger electric bus is currently estimated to cost around $320,000, nearly triple the price of its diesel counterpart. However, it was noted that ongoing technological advancements and increased production volumes are expected to drive costs down over time, making electric buses a more economically viable option in the future.

Training for bus drivers was another important topic discussed. Jackson Janvier, a bus driver trainer for Transdev, spoke about the requirements for drivers to complete eight hours of service training annually. This is especially crucial for those operating the new electric buses, which differ from traditional diesel models. Janvier also mentioned the role of trainers in assisting drivers returning to work after medical leave or accidents.

The potential for converting existing diesel buses to electric models was also explored. Funding from the Diesel Emissions Reduction Act will support these conversions, with expectations for the first repurposed bus to be operational within the current school year. This approach aims to maximize the use of existing resources while further reducing emissions.

Student voices were a powerful component of the meeting. Paulina Mendes Javier, a senior at Boston Latin Academy and representative of the Boston Student Advisory Council, emphasized the need for the city to transition from gas-powered to electric buses. She noted the environmental impact of the current transportation infrastructure and framed the switch to electric buses as a commitment to cleaner air and a healthier environment for future generations. Mahanor, a sophomore from the same school, echoed these sentiments.