The Administration recommends that the Board of Education ratify the acceptance of a Grant by The School District of Philadelphia, through the Superintendent or his designee, as follows:
From:
Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection
Purpose: Purchase of electric school buses
Grant Start Date: 1/25/2021
Grant End Date: 1/25/2022
Amount up to: $468,000
Location:
Shallcross Garage; Passyunk Garage; Broad Street Garage
Description:
The District actively operates a fleet of 387 yellow diesel school buses. These buses are utilized daily at maximum capacity in the transport of over 4,000 students across 220 routes to and from school, as well as servicing day trips and after school programs. The average age of the District's bus fleet is 11 years. However, the average age of the 66 oldest buses on the vehicle replacement list is 17 years. Purchasing new electric buses and replacing these older buses will enable the Department of Transportation Services to continue to fulfill the District's mission of providing safe and efficient transportation.
The Office of Transportation applied to the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection for the On-road Rebate Program. The rebate grant will be used to help the District achieve the goal of reducing its carbon footprint by modernizing the fleet, introducing zero emission vehicles and transitioning from diesel buses to electric buses which are cleaner, more environmentally friendly vehicles. It is anticipated that some of the new vehicles will reduce noise, pollution and improve air quality. In addition, the funds provided will be used to assist the District with the cost of replacing diesel school buses that have been targeted for replacement due to age, reliability and maintenance costs. A ratification is required because the award notice was received from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection on January 25, 2021, after the deadline for the submission of January action items had closed.
Guard Rail Supported: Provide 100% of students with a safe, healthy and welcoming learning environment