Ducey announces $16 million for new school buses from suit

More than 50 school districts across Arizona will buy new school buses using cash from a lawsuit settlement with automaker Volkswagen.

The spending announced Thursday by Gov. Doug Ducey give 55 districts and charter schools nearly $16 million to purchase 142 diesel or alternative fuel buses. Another $16 million for buses will be awarded soon. It’s all apart of the “Arizona’s Lower-Emission School Bus Replacement Program.”

Public schools like those in Yuma county with school bus’ 15 years old or older with over 100,000 miles were eligible for a diesel or alternative fuel replacement bus. When we spoke to the Director of Transportation for Yuma schools he shared that through this program they are able to get 16 new buses within a two-year span.

“It’s huge! It’s able to replace older buses that aren’t as efficient, they are higher cost. Yes, they pollute, but we are going to replace them with buses that have alternate fuel. We run a lot of propane units these days that are quiet, very efficient, a lot of cost savings and better for the environment,” said Ron Schepers, Director of Transportation for Yuma Schools

Arizona school districts have seen transportation and maintenance budgets plummet due to the Great Recession and many buses are worn out.

Ducey said in a statement that finding innovative ways to boost school spending will continue to be a priority.

Three buses from Crane Elementary School District, two buses from Somerton Elementary District, seven buses from Yuma Elementary District, and nine buses from Yuma Union High School District will all buy new school buses from the settlement. Yuma County would be receiving a total of $2,610,000 to purchase new school buses.

Volkswagen settled a federal lawsuit over an emissions cheating scandal two years ago. Arizona was awarded $57 million and earmarked $38 million for buses and rest for wildland fire crews and Department of Transportation equipment.