City approves $2.7M purchase of new school bus fleet

PITTSFIELD, Mass.  — WAMC Northeast Public Radio reports that the Pittsfield City Council has approved a $2.7 million plan to trade in 52 buses and buy 43 new buses that Pittsfield Public Schools would own and operate.

Due to a decrease in student numbers, fewer buses are needed, Jason McCandless, superintendent of Pittsfield Public Schools, told WAMC.

The proposal to buy the buses initially failed by one vote at a council meeting two weeks ago. Councilor Lisa Tully was the deciding factor and changed her previous vote after looking into what other towns had done. McCandless told the news outlet that the city has reached a critical point with its aging fleet and was doubtful it could secure the new buses if the decision was put off again.

McCandless added that the school district has brought on a consultant to do a one-month study of the fleet’s efficiency at a cost of $3,500. The study will help the next time the district looks into buying a new fleet, and it could help in creating space for students who would pay to ride the buses.

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