Parents in Erie County, New York, are voicing serious concerns about the comfort and safety of their children riding electric school buses. Reports indicate that children are returning home cold after their buses lack adequate heating. This situation is hitting families in the Lake Shore Central School District particularly hard, with parents now equipping their children with hand warmers to combat the chilly ride.
Scott Ziobro, a parent and former school board candidate, explained the situation to WIVB. “The heaters on the bus run off the same electricity as the bus itself. They were told that it drains the battery capacity of the bus,” he noted. This presents a significant issue, especially when the state mandates all new school buses must be electric by 2027, leaving parents to wonder if the shift to greener technology is being properly managed.
The Lake Shore Central School District currently operates 23 electric buses, alongside traditional gasoline and diesel options. The fleet expansion was partly funded by a sizable $7.9 million grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. However, despite the backing and enthusiasm for electric buses, there have been troubling reports of breakdowns. Chris Lampman shared a distressing account involving his son waiting outside in the cold when the bus broke down on route. “They deployed a substitute bus, and the bus was more than 30 minutes late. My son stood outside for over 35 minutes waiting for a bus that wasn’t coming. Some of those kids are on there for upwards of a half hour or more while the bus makes its route. There’s no reason that the kids should freeze for all that time,” he emphasized.
This situation is not isolated. Problems with electric school buses have surfaced in other states as well. In Maine, the Department of Education has encountered similar issues with buses from the manufacturer Lion Electric. Commissioner Pender Makin has expressed concern in a letter to the EPA, suggesting the agency might need to consider legal actions against the manufacturer due to the failures of their electric buses. “Specifically, we urge the agency to pursue legal remedies, including claw-backs of federal funding or other resources provided to the company,” Makin stated. It’s troubling to see at least six districts in Maine report issues with buses acquired through federal programs.
The broader context is alarming as well. The EPA has invested about $1 billion to deploy only 5,000 electric buses nationwide. As parents and education officials grapple with the practical issues of transitioning to electric school transportation, the significant investment and push toward greener alternatives face scrutiny over both efficacy and safety.
The combination of cold temperatures, insufficient heating mechanisms, and mechanical failures leads to an uncomfortable scenario for students. As schools prepare to shift further toward electric buses, it is crucial to address these concerns immediately to ensure safe and comfortable transportation for all students.
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