Title
Approval of the Use of Bond Program Funds to Support the Purchase of 50 Electric School Buses, and Amend the Transportation Services Branch’s Strategic Execution Plan to Incorporate Therein
Transportation Services Branch
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Brief Description:
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(Approval of the Use of Bond Program Funds to Support the Purchase of 50 Electric School Buses, and Amend the Transportation Services Branch’s Strategic Execution Plan to Incorporate Therein) Recommends approval to utilize $5.5 million of Bond Program Funds to offset the costs to purchase 50 electric school buses and amend the Transportation Services Branch’s (TSB) Strategic Execution Plan (SEP) to incorporate therein.
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Recommendation
Action Proposed:
Approval to utilize Bond Program funds to offset the costs to purchase 50 electric school buses and amend the Transportation Services Branch’s Strategic Execution Plan (SEP) to incorporate therein. Recommends approval of the use of $5.5 million of Bond Program Funds to support the purchase of 50 electric school buses at an estimated total cost of $25.25 million. The $5.5 million portion of the purchase will be funded with Bond Program funds earmarked in Measure RR specifically for replacing aging and polluting school buses. The United States Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Clean School Bus Program grant will fund the remaining $19.75 million (Board Report No. 039-24/25). These new buses shall replace the oldest diesel buses in the District’s fleet. Purchase of the school buses is anticipated to begin in Fall 2026, and delivery is anticipated to be completed by Spring 2028.
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Body
Background:
The EPA’s Clean School Bus (CSB) Program was created through the 2021 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act to promote the use of low and zero-emission (electric) school buses to provide clean rides for students while prioritizing historically underserved communities that face disproportionate air pollution. The program’s objective is to improve the air quality for communities across the United States by reducing air pollution and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions while accelerating the deployment of clean school buses.
The electric buses emit zero emissions and are equipped with the latest safety features. They will have a capacity for 75 passengers and an operating range of 125 miles with a full charge.
The proposed award supports the District’s resolution, “Transitioning Los Angeles Unified School District to 100% Clean, Renewable Energy Resulting in Healthier Students and More Sustainable, Equitable Communities (Res-018-19/20).” It further supports the Healthy Breathing initiative adopted by the Board of Education in 2003 to reduce the harmful effects of diesel emissions to students and the school community.
Bond Oversight Committee Recommendations:
This item was considered by the School Construction Bond Citizens’ Oversight Committee (BOC) at its meeting on August 13, 2026, as referenced in Exhibit A. The presentation that was provided in included as Exhibit B. Pursuant to the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the BOC, the District provided the BOC with the opportunity to consider the bond funded proposal and adopt a resolution recommending to the Board that it adopts the proposal prior to presenting the item to the Board for final action. Following discussion, a vote was taken which resulted in the resolution not being adopted (Exhibit C). Having fulfilled the requirements of the MOU requirements, the proposal will be presented to the Board for consideration and action.
Expected Outcomes:
The replacement of 50 diesel school buses with zero-emission electric school buses will reduce nearly 500 metric tons of CO2 annually along school bus routes. This will mitigate students’ risk of exposure to harmful air pollutants and carcinogens, especially for students who reside in impacted communities. Besides eliminating harmful emissions and improving the air quality, electric buses will yield lower operational costs than conventional buses. Electric buses require fewer components, such as fan belts, air filters, and oil, to operate. Studies have shown that electric buses are also more fuel efficient, resulting in fuel savings of as much as $70,000 over a lifecycle of 20 years. Upon the delivery of these buses, the District will have approximately 300 electric buses in its fleet.
Board Options and Consequences:
If the Board votes ‘Yes’, the District shall move forward with the purchase of 50 diesel buses (Board Report 012-26/27) with new electric buses, resulting in reductions of operational costs and GHG emission levels for healthier air quality for the community while remaining compliant with the grant award.
If the Board votes ‘No’, the District would be at risk of forfeiting the grant award and would forgo the environmental benefits and reduced operational costs.
Policy Implications:
None
Budget Impact:
The purchase of the 50 electric school buses will be funded by $5.5 million of Measure RR bond proceeds earmarked specifically for replacing aging and polluting school buses and $19.75 million from a EPA Clean School Bus Program grant award as summarized below. There is no impact to the General Fund for the purchase of the 50 electric buses.
A breakdown of cost estimates is provided below:
|
Line Item |
Total Cost of Buses (50 buses at $505K ea.) |
EPA Funding |
Measure RR |
|
Class 8 zero-emission/electric school bus |
$25,250,000 |
$19,750,000 |
$5,500,000 |
Student Impact:
The purchase will directly benefit students by enabling TSB to improve the timely delivery of students to schools. New buses have significantly fewer breakdowns, which reduces repair down-times and transportation delays. The zero emission buses will improve student health by limiting their exposure to transportation-related air pollution.
Equity Impact:
|
Component |
Score |
Score Rationale |
|
Recognition |
4 |
The replacement of buses supports the District’s commitment to reducing carbon and greenhouse gas emissions within the LAUSD community, with a particular focus on neighborhoods that are both environmentally and economically impacted. |
|
Resource Prioritization |
4 |
As a part of the District’s alternative fuel bus fleet, the new buses will benefit all students as they will contribute to improving the overall air quality and route coverage for all students in the District. |
|
Results |
4 |
The new buses will improve student safety and support the District’s goals of student achievement and attendance. |
|
TOTAL |
12 |
|
Issues and Analysis:
The proposed replacement of 50 diesel school buses with zero-emission electric school buses will advance the District's efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve air quality, and protect students and school communities from exposure to harmful diesel pollutants. The buses are expected to reduce approximately 530 short tons of C02 annually along school bus routes and will prioritize cleaner transportation for students, particularly those in communities disproportionately impacted by air pollution.
The electric buses will accommodate up to 75 passengers and provide an operating range of approximately 125 miles on a full charge. In addition to eliminating tailpipe emissions, electric buses require fewer maintenance components than conventional diesel buses, which may result in reduced operating and maintenance costs over the vehicles' useful life. The District will also benefit from fuel savings associated with the greater efficiency of electric buses.
The proposed award is consistent with the objectives of the federal Environmental Protection Agency's Clean School Bus Program, which was established under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act to accelerate the deployment of low- and zero-emission school buses, reduce air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions, and prioritize historically underserved communities.
Upon delivery of the buses, the District will have approximately 300 electric buses in its fleet. The action further supports the Board of Education's commitment to transitioning the District to clean, renewable energy and advances the goals of the Healthy Breathing initiative to reduce the harmful effects of diesel emissions on students and the school community.
Attachments:
Exhibit A - Resolution 2026-19 Not Adopted
Exhibit B - Presentation to the BOC
Exhibit C - Letter to the Board
Previously adopted Board report referenced under Action Proposed section:
• Adopted September 10, 2024, Board Report, No. 039-24/25 <https://media.edlio.net/9ae25cf6/926ee48f/d31968fb/229abd0df42d471f91c01ef8a8415ae8?_=REP-039-24-25%2024-09-10.pdf>
Resolution referenced under background:
• Adopted December 3, 2019, Board Resolution Res-018-19/20 <https://media.edlio.net/9ae25cf6/926ee48f/d31968fb/304a67c5a8c743f291f8ac533804c4cc?_=Res-018-19-20%20TransitioningToCleanRenewableEnergy%2019-12-03.pdf>
Submitted:
08/20/26