New York District Debuts State’s First Electric School Bus

COPIAGUE, N.Y. — A school bus company has introduced a new electric bus offering zero emissions into the fleet of a school district here, reportedly the first of its kind in the state.

Educational Bus Transportation, which provides transportation services to Copiague Public Schools, supplied the Trans Tech bus. The bus offers seating capacity for 25 students.

“We are proud to be the first district in New York to make such a major commitment to the environment and to cleaner air for our students,” said Copiague Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Kathleen Bannon. “Thanks to Educational Bus Transportation, our district will benefit from an all-electric vehicle that is sustainable, safe, and efficient.”

The new bus has a range of up to 120 miles before requiring charging, and is the first Department of Transportation-approved electric school bus put in service in New York state, according to Educational Bus Transportation President Sean Corr.

“The new bus appealed to us because it performs all the same functions as a traditional bus without generating emissions,” Corr explained. “In addition, it provides a quieter ride for passengers, reduces fuel expenses by using low-cost electricity, and offers significantly reduced service and maintenance costs. We’re excited to add this innovative vehicle to our fleet. It’s a significant first step towards alternative transportation that embraces today’s clean technology.”

Educational Bus Transportation is a member of The Trans Group, which operates over 1,200 school buses and public transit buses in lower New York state and Long Island.