LOL: Maryland District To Purchase Over 100 Diesel Buses

I guess those electric buses aren’t cutting

Maryland school district that bought electric buses is now ordering more than 100 diesel buses

A Maryland school district that bought hundreds of electric buses is now ordering more than 100 diesel buses due to the electric ones not meeting requirements for use.

Montgomery County Public Schools is seeking proposals for companies to purchase 140 diesel buses, 45 of which must have wheelchair capabilities, the Washington Post reported Monday. A school board vote on a contract is expected in April.

The change comes as some electric buses are experiencing extended periods of service interruptions because of “charging challenges” and parts issues, district spokesperson Liliana López said. She added that the maintenance problems are exacerbated by cold weather. Also, other buses aren’t meeting the district’s needs to transport students with special needs.

“Our primary focus is ensuring safe, timely and reliable transportation for the more than 103,000 students we serve daily,” López said. “Current electric bus technology is not fully capable of meeting all of our transportation demands, particularly for longer routes, field trips and midday services that exceed charging capacities.”

Montgomery County had a $160 million contract to purchase those electric buses, but, there’s been a huge backlog in delivery of said buses, despite payment, as well as all the issues with the delivered EBs. Going back to July 31, 2024

(WJLA) Electric school buses were intended to be a cost-saving measure for Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS), but a recent report from the county’s Office of the Inspector General (OIG) reveals that the initiative has led to “millions of dollars in wasteful spending” due to delayed deliveries and frequent maintenance issues.

According to the OIG report, Maryland’s largest school district’s initiative to replace its diesel bus fleet with electric buses has been plagued by delays and mechanical issues.

“The contractor did not deliver any of the buses expected in FY2022 through FY2024 by August 1st as required by the agreement’s delivery schedule,” the report stated.

Even back then the MCPS had to spend $14 million for 90 diesel buses because they didn’t receive the EBs, instead of cancelling the contract due to non-compliance by the bus company. Of course, it’s taxpayer money, so, the people in charge do not care. Back to the original

The board partially suspended its contract with Highland Electric Fleets last year. In the fall, the Maryland board of education voted to overturn the district’s contract with the company, saying it was “tainted” by the involvement of an employee later convicted of fraud.

The school district has appealed the state board’s vote to Montgomery County Circuit Court, and proceedings are ongoing. López said the district continues its business relationship with Highland Electric Fleets to maintain 285 electric school buses.

Yeah, the state tried to cancel it by the MCPS wanted to keep pissing away money.

The county has a goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 80% in 2027 and 100% in 2035, according to a climate plan implemented in 2021. To meet this goal, the school district must stop purchasing non-electric buses by 2027.

Maybe their goal should be to 100% get the kiddies to school? Oh, and let’s be clear, this is all Democrats doing this.