By this time next year, students in Erie's Public Schools will be getting to school with a new set of wheels.


The school district received a $4.1 million grant for twelve electric buses. A purchase that will help both the environment and taxpayers.
Brian Polito, the Superintendent said, "This actually takes the overall cost of the bus, the purchase of the bus and the operation, well below what we are paying for diesel and so in the long run, this is going to save our tax payers dollars and also make it a better environment for our students and the community overall."


These buses will replace twelve older buses of the 38 current buses and they will be housed at the current service center with a charging station.


Highland Electric Fleets will be the district's electrification partner and they are excited for their first contract in Erie and hope other school districts and businesses make the switch in the coming years.


Duncan McIntyre, the CEO of Highland Electric Fleets said, "Transportation in this setting is hyper local. The best way to get comfortable if you are a transportation leader is to go see a neighboring community and kick the tires. Get a ride on the bus, talk to the mechanics, talk to the drivers, learn from dispatch and operations, what the quirks and nuisance are of running and electric fleet."


The fleet of twelve buses won't be ready quite yet, but district leaders said they should be ready for the 2025-2026 school year.
After the buses arrive, Polito said they would be open to the idea of getting more buses to replace older ones. "We do want to try it out and first and see if it works and if it does, we will look to expand in the next few years."