SAN DIMAS/LA VERNE – Against a backdrop of new, clean-burning electric vehicles (EV) and flanked by District school bus drivers and mechanics, Bonita Unified School District officially debuted its fleet of all-electric school buses and brand-new Level 2 EV charging stations during a green ribbon-cutting held at the District Yard on Sept. 17.

As Superintendent Matt Wien and BUSD Board of Education members looked on, BUSD Transportation Director James Foster and Southern California Edison (SCE) Senior Manager of Medium/Heavy Duty PMO Ailsa Yew cut the ribbon, introducing a new era of clean energy transportation to the District.

“This is an exciting milestone for the District,” Foster said. “These charging stations represent more than just new equipment. They represent our commitment to innovation, sustainability, and providing safe and efficient transportation for our students. We are transitioning from a larger carbon footprint to a cleaner and greener future for our students and the entire community.”

The Bonita Unified transportation fleet now possesses seven EV school buses and six Level 2 EV charging stations, with plans to add six new EV school buses and one more EV charging station in the coming months.

The new equipment was funded by two grants: an SCE Charge Ready grant, which helped to purchase the school buses, and a CalSTART/Zesbi grant, which was used to acquire the EV charging stations. The Zesbi grant will eventually pay for six new EV school buses. The transition from fossil fuels to an all-electric fleet has been eagerly embraced throughout the Transportation Department.

“Thank you to our school bus drivers and mechanics,” Foster said. “They put in the time, completed the training, learned the new technology, and embraced the change from diesel and gas to electric. The success of this project does not stop with the installation of these charging stations. It continues everyday with the people who operate, maintain, and support our fleet.”

The transition to EV has also been embraced by a key constituency – Bonita Unified students.

“The kids love the buses. They love the air-conditioning and are so excited to be on a new bus,” Bonita Unified school bus driver Laura Ochoa said. “These buses are so much better. They are cleaner and quieter. We’re not contaminating the air anymore, which is great for all our communities.”

BUSD mechanics are excited for the transition to all-electric school buses and the opportunity to work with new technology.

“Switching to electric is exciting for me,” BUSD mechanic III Peter Gomez said. “It’s part of the future of transportation. It’s a huge step forward. I’m a tinkerer, so I love the chance to work with the new technology.”

The all-electric fleet will continue to grow with the full support of the Bonita Unified Board of Education, Superintendent Wien, and Assistant Superintendent of Business Services Sonia Eckley.

“This is a great day for the Bonita Unified community. The safety of our children is always our number one priority, and the transition to all-electric will have a positive effect not just in our communities, but for all of Southern California,” Wien said. “Thank you to James Foster, District staff, SCE, CalSTART, and all our partners who have made this day possible.”

PHOTO:

BUSD_EVBUSES: Bonita Unified Transportation Director James Foster (center right), with BUSD Board of Education members, Superintendent Matt Wien, and Transportation Department drivers and mechanics looking on, cuts the ribbon for the District’s new Electric Vehicle (EV) charging station that will help power BUSD’s growing fleet of electric vehicles on Sept. 17.