Students in Florida’s Glades County School District will soon experience cleaner, quieter, and more comfortable school commutes with the introduction of 13 new Blue Bird electric school buses. The deployment marks a significant upgrade for the district, replacing aging diesel buses, some of which have been in service for over two decades.
The transition to electric buses offers numerous benefits, from reduced emissions and operational cost savings to a quieter, smoother ride for students and drivers alike. However, the most immediate and noticeable improvement for students will be the inclusion of air conditioning—an essential feature in Florida’s sweltering climate. Until now, only three school buses in the entire district were equipped with air conditioning, leaving most students to endure daily rides in high temperatures on sticky vinyl seats.
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“We’re excited to celebrate the arrival of 13 new electric school buses in Glades County,” said Dr. Beth Barfield, Superintendent of Glades County School District. “These state-of-the-art buses represent a significant advancement for our district, offering students a much more comfortable transportation experience in the extreme Florida heat. This milestone is a chance to bring our community together and recognize the teamwork and dedication that brought this project to life.”
Blue Bird, the only U.S.-owned and operated school bus manufacturer, has been at the forefront of the shift toward electric school transportation. The company delivered its 2,000th electric bus to Clark County School District in Nevada last August and has maintained strong stock performance, even as other heavy-duty EV manufacturers like Lion Electric and Nikola have faced financial difficulties.
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Beyond comfort, the move to electric school buses is expected to generate significant cost savings for the district. Other school districts have reported energy costs of just 19 cents per mile for electric buses, compared to as much as 79 cents per mile in fuel costs for diesel models. Additionally, electric buses have demonstrated better performance in extreme heat and cold, making them a reliable option for school transportation.