Why It’s Time for Electric Buses and More Walking.

Getting our kids to school safely and sustainably is a top priority. The traditional yellow school bus remains an icon of American education. But diesel-powered school buses come with drawbacks, from air pollution to noise and cost. Meanwhile, budget cuts and changing demographics have reduced busing access for many students. More students walking or biking could benefit health and the environment while easing pressure on school transportation budgets. Electric school buses and active transportation need to become bigger parts of the conversation.

The Problem With Traditional Diesel School Buses

The familiar yellow school bus has been transporting kids to class for generations. About 25 million American students ride a bus to public school each day. While school buses are statistically very safe, diesel comes with downsides:

Air pollution. Diesel exhaust contains tiny particles that penetrate deep into lungs. This can harm health, especially for kids. Diesel exhaust also contributes to smog and [climate change](https://www.epa.gov/gmi/importance-reducing-black-carbon-emissions-glo
Noise. The diesel engine’s characteristic rumble can produce noise pollution. This can make conversations difficult on board. And idling school buses worsen roadway noise near schools.
Cost. Purchasing and operating diesel buses is expensive. On average, school districts pay over $23,000 per bus per year. Rising fuel costs add uncertainty to budgets.

Many districts struggle to provide enough buses or bus drivers amid tight budgets. Routing inefficiencies mean kids endure long rides or busing gets cut. Transportation remains one of districts’ biggest costs after salaries. There are cleaner alternatives emerging.

Electric School Buses Offer Big Benefits

Electric school buses (ESBs) run on battery power instead of diesel. They offer compelling benefits:

Clean, zero-emission transportation. ESBs don’t produce any tailpipe emissions. This means cleaner air around schools and neighborhoods. It’s a big gain for public health, especially for vulnerable groups like children and seniors.
Energy cost savings. Electricity is a more stable, often cheaper fuel source than diesel. Maintenance costs are lower too given the simpler mechanics. Many ESBs can also feed stored energy back to the grid. This provides districts potential revenue through vehicle-to-grid (V2G) technology.
A comfortable, quiet ride. ESBs offer a smoother, quieter ride without loud diesel engines. This provides a more relaxed trip for kids and drivers. Noise and air pollution goes down in surrounding areas too.
Future-proofing districts. ESB adoption positions districts to meet evolving emissions regulations. It also acts as workforce development for the future green economy. School buses can play a pivotal role in scaling up cleaner transportation nationally.

School districts across the country have started adopting ESBs into their fleets:

The Lion Electric Company has deployed over 600 ESBs, many in northern climates like Canada.
States like California, Maryland, and Rhode Island have dedicated funding for ESB initiatives.
Large districts in Virginia, Florida, Texas, Washington, and elsewhere are purchasing the first ESBs for their communities.
New York City recently committed to all-electric school buses by 2035, one of the most aggressive targets nationally.

Many early adopters are supported by competitve grant programs at the state or utility level. But upfront costs remain a barrier for wider adoption.

Why Are Electric School Buses So Expensive?

charging infrastracture

Electric models still cost substantially more than diesel buses. Medium-sized ESBs typically run $120,000 more per bus. Larger ESBs approach $400,000, while a new diesel bus is around $110,000.

Key factors behind the higher upfront costs:

Batteries – The lithium-ion battery packs are expensive. They represent up to 50% of an ESB’s total price. Battery costs are falling, but remain high.
New technology – ESBs are still a niche market without economies of scale. Production volumes are not high enough yet to drive down costs across the supply chain. More demand will spur manufacturing improvements and lower prices.
Charging infrastructure – Depot chargers, wiring upgrades, and grid connections add costs. Though ESBs have lower net lifetime costs, the charging infrastructure represents a large new capital investment.
Vehicle-to-grid potential – Some ESBs integrate two-way charging systems to send stored energy back to the grid. This costs more but provides a new revenue stream.

Despite higher initial prices, ESBs pay back over their full lifespan. Lower operating and maintenance costs offset the upfront capital. And health benefits from reduced kids’ exposure to diesel fumes has societal value. But school districts struggle to raise the capital needed to initiate the transition.

Federal and State Programs Can Accelerate Adoption

More federal and state leadership on ESBs is vital to spurring adoption. Government grants and incentive programs can help school districts finance the transition.

Potential policy approaches include:

Direct procurement programs – Governments issue solicitations and purchase ESBs in bulk for allocation to school districts. This stimulates manufacturing and drives down costs.
Targeted reimbursement grants – Reimburse districts for a share of ESB procurement costs, often starting at 30-50%. Tied to funding requirements around route electrification and grid integration.
Low-cost leasing/financing – Provide districts affordable, government-backed leasing or financing options so they don’t need large new capital capacity. Could include low-interest loans through revolving loan funds.
Utility collaboration – Engage local utilities around optimizing charging to benefit both districts and the grid. Could include special commercial rates for charging during low-demand periods.
Emissions reduction funding – Allocate a share of emissions penalties, carbon pricing, or cap-and-trade revenues specifically to accelerate ESB adoptions. Tie deployment to quantified emissions reductions in disproportionately impacted communities.

Multiple states have robust policy incentives for public fleet electrification. But only about a dozen states offer ESB programs so far. Passing the federal Clean School Bus Act would be a gamechanger. It would funnel $25 billion towards ESB adoptions over 10 years. This consistent funding could make ESBs standard in the yellow school bus market.

What You Can Do

Want to help push for ESBs in your community? A few suggestions:

Talk to school decision-makers – Set up informational meetings with your school district transportation director, superintendent, and school board members. Discuss the benefits and make the case for ESBs.
Engage at board meetings – Give public comments at school board meetings during open forums. Voice your support as a parent for a transition plan to ESBs in the district.
Write local officials – Send letters or emails to your city council, county supervisors, state representatives, and Congressional delegation. Ask them to prioritize policies and funding for ESBs.
Partner with community groups – Work with local environmental, health, and community organizations to build collective support. Coordinate around outreach, engagement, and advocacy campaigns.
Talk to your utility – Have conversations with your local electric utility, co-op, or municipal power provider. Explore ways they could support districts in electrifying bus fleets through charging incentives or assistance.

More Students Walking and Biking Would Help Too

Another key piece of the school transportation equation is getting more students walking and biking safely. This option has declined over the generations. In 1969, about half of students walked or biked to school. Today, well under 15% do, and fewer than 5% bike.

Active transportation to school provides many benefits:

Improves health through regular physical activity
Reduces traffic and car trips around schools
Saves on busing costs to transport students shorter distances
Teaches road safety and self-reliance
Cleaner air with less idling and fewer vehicle trips
More time outdoors enjoying the daily commute

Walking or biking works best for those living within a mile or two from school. But participation depends heavily on having safe routes. Many communities lack the infrastructure and crossing guards to make walking/biking practical and accessible.

Barriers to More Active Transportation:

Unsafe intersections – Wide, high-speed roads must be crossed to reach schools. Providing controlled crossings is essential.
Missing sidewalks – Gaps in pedestrian networks, especially near schools, force walking in the street.
Poor lighting – Insufficient lighting around sidewalks and crossings reduces visibility and comfort.
Speeding traffic – High speeds and congestion near schools intimidate families from walking and biking.
Social factors – Many parents have safety concerns about kids commuting alone. Walking/biking together could help.
Inaccessible routes – Those with disabilities require ADA-compliant sidewalks, ramps, and paths of travel to school.
Transit connections – Safe and convenient links to bus stops allows multi-modal commutes if the full route can’t be walked or biked.

Investing in safe routes to schools and fixing the gaps is crucial. The right infrastructure removes barriers and empowers families to choose walking/biking.

Federal Program Provides a Model

Thankfully, a federal program exists to fund safe routes – though it remains underfunded. The Safe Routes to Schools (SRTS) program began in 2005. It provides states with grant funding for infrastructure fixes and education around active transport to school. All 50 states participate in SRTS and have seen positive impacts.

SRTS funded improvements typically include:

New or repaired sidewalks to fill sidewalk gaps
Safer road crossings – with traffic signals, signs, paint
Improved lighting around pedestrian areas
New or expanded bike lanes, paths, trails leading to schools
Better signage and wayfinding to direct students
ADA upgrades for curb ramps, pedestrian buttons
Speed reduction measures like bump-outs, radar signs, speed humps
Traffic diversion to reduce volumes around schools

States award SRTS grants competitively to school districts, local governments, and community groups. They prioritize projects fixing safety issues that deter walking and biking to school. SRTS also funds local education and encouragement programs on active transport aimed at students, parents, and drivers. These non-infrastructure efforts are a key complement.

SRTS has proven very successful where implemented. But demand outweighs funding under current authorization levels. Just a fraction of applicant projects get approved each year in most states. Dramatically increasing SRTS funding would allow more schools to improve conditions for walking and biking. Tens of millions of students could benefit.

More Kids Walking and Biking Improves Health

Another major appeal of active transportation is bolstering kids’ health through physical activity. Childhood obesity remains at critical levels. Today, 1 in 6 kids qualifies as obese by BMI standards. That rate has tripled since the 1970s.

Walking or biking to school is an easy way to build in exercise. For kids, it takes at least 60 minutes of moderate exercise per day on most days to meet activity guidelines. But most fall short. Making active commuting an option provides a simple solution. And it establishes lifelong healthy habits.

Studies show districts with robust walking/biking programs have lower BMIs and better heart health markers among students. Daily activity also benefits mental health, emotional well-being, and focus in the classroom.

Walking just a mile each way equates to 2/3 of the daily recommended exercise for kids. That activity can be life-changing. It also sets an example for parents and starts shifting local norms and culture around active transportation.

More Needs to Be Done

Boosting active travel and getting kids of buses will take a larger collective effort. While SRTS funding should increase, parents, schools, planners, and leaders all have a role. Some ways to help:

School wellness policies can set goals around active transportation and developing Safe Routes networks near schools. Wellness committees, including parents, help shape policies.
Student transport surveys can clarify barriers to walking/biking and illustrate demand. Engaged parents can help distribute surveys and advocate around results.
Local master plans like bicycling, greenway, and pedestrian plans provide data on needs. Advocating for quality networks and safe crossings around schools is key.
Open streets events like Walk/Bike to School Days allow experiential learning. They demonstrate volume when safe crossings and bike lanes are provided.
Student Drop-Off/Pick-Up plans can formalize efficient driving practices. Staggering times and centralizing lots reduces school area congestion.
Crossing guards and safety patrols provide supervision at key crossings. Parent volunteers could expand coverage where lacking.
Bike trains or walking school buses allow groups of students traveling together with parental chaperones. Safety and socializing increase the appeal.

Getting kids walking and biking takes work, but pays dividends. Even incremental increases build momentum and health gains over time. Done right, active transportation enhances education and childhood. Our streets and school policies should empower, not deter, walking and biking.

The Climate Connection

On top of the health and congestion benefits, active transport and electric buses help fight climate change. Transportation recently passed power plants as the #1 source of US carbon emissions. Electrifying buses and enabling clean commutes are needed shifts.

School transportation becomes greener with ESBs and more walking/biking through

Reduced emissions – Electric buses release far less lifetime carbon than diesel. And walking/biking produces zero emissions.
Cleaner grids – ESBs can provide power storage and grid balancing. This supports renewable energy growth.
Changed habits – Active transport helps normalize reduced driving reliance day-to-day. This mindset shift is key.
Future leaders – Students arrive at school via sustainable transport, seeding community expectations around mobility.
Improved public health – Cleaner air and more physical activity fight chronic diseases worsened by pollution and sedentary lifestyles.
Inspired communities – Districts adopting ESBs and active programs catalyze wider sustainable transportation conversions.

School buses and commutes set examples we remember for life. Transforming how students get to school is an investment in future generations.

Time to Step Up

Diesel school buses have served us well for decades, but must now give way to cleaner alternatives. Electric models offer a smooth, quiet ride that cleans the air for kids and communities. We have the technology – now we need the policy commitment. Federal and state funds incentivizing a wave of ESB adoptions are essential in the near term.

At the same time, re-energizing active transport backpedals the erosion of walking and biking. Fixing gaps in safe routes to schools empowers more students and families to commute sustainably. Combining infrastructure upgrades with culture change gets us where we need to be.

The journey to school shapes us. It can demonstrate our values around health, environment, and education. With smart investments and fresh perspectives, we can make getting to school zero-emission, healthy, and fun. The time to accelerate that transition is now. Our kids and communities deserve clean, active, and equitable school commutes. Let’s come together and make it happen.