Unit 5 to get five new electric school buses

Posted on November 25, 2024

*^{The district was awarded two grants over the last few years from the Illinois and federal EPA grant for electric buses. (Photo courtesy: WJBC/File)}*

By WMBD-TV

NORMAL – Five new electric buses are coming to Unit 5 School District.

The district was awarded two grants over the last few years from the Illinois and federal EPA grant for electric buses.

On Wednesday, the school board accepted a bid for 5 buses for more than $2 million.

The district will receive three buses that will be made accessible for students with disabilities, the other two will be regular passenger buses along with five charging units.

“72-passenger buses. So, you know, full-size buses, it’s just going to be electrically powered instead of diesel. So inside a lot of our fleet is older and so we don’t have the air conditioning on buses and that kind of thing. These bus all five will have full air conditioning, which would be great. We’re going to start by using them in more of our, I would say, in-town routes,” said CFO Martin Hickman.

They’re hoping to get the buses before the start of the next school year.

WMBD-TV can be reached at [email protected].

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