Tuscumbia City Schools Leads Alabama : TUSCUMBIA, Ala. (WHNT) Tuscumbia City Schools, located in North Alabama, has marked a historic moment by becoming the first school district in the state to embrace an electric bus.
This initiative is part of the EPAs Clean School Bus program, a massive $965 million effort aimed at replacing school buses for nearly 400 schools across the nation.
The distinctive feature of an electric school bus lies in its absence of a tailpipe and the prominent EV label. The inaugural journey of this eco-friendly bus is set for Friday, heading to a local basketball game, covering approximately 30 miles round trip.
The development of this battery-powered bus spanned over a year. Superintendent Russ Tate emphasized that this noise-free and pollution-free school bus represents a significant stride toward a cleaner and more sustainable future for school transportation, also contributing to cost savings.
“With the mileage range that these provide us, these [buses] provide us with over a hundred miles of travelable roads in one route, and thats longer than any route that we have, said Tate. The anticipated savings are substantial, considering that each tank fill-up costs around $5,000.
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The school district primarily deploys buses for field trips and ball games. To ensure the electric bus doesn’t face unexpected power issues on the road, they plan to schedule trips strategically.
To acquire this innovative vehicle, the school district had to trade in an operational bus dating back to 1994, a prerequisite for participating in the program. Jim Grinnell, Tuscumbia City Schools Director of Transportation, explained the program’s goal of phasing out old diesel-burning buses that contribute to air pollution. The old bus had to be destroyed, as selling it to others was not permitted under the program.
As a part of the EPA Clean School Bus program grant, Tuscumbia City Schools not only received the bus from Transportation South but also a charging station. The bus can be fully charged in under three hours, reflecting a positive step toward a greener and more efficient transportation system.
Our Reader’s Queries
What school district is Tuscumbia Alabama?
Colbert County schools, also known as District Name, can be found at 425 Highway 72 West Tuscumbia, AL 35674-2412. You can reach them by phone at (256)386-8565. This regular local school district has 84 total schools under its management.
How many schools are in the Tuscaloosa City school System?
The district is made up of 21 schools, which consist of 11 elementary schools, 4 middle schools, one K-8 school, 3 high schools, and 2 program sites focused on specialty education. These include one for students in alternative education, and a career-technical facility for grades 9 12.
How many public school districts are in Alabama?
In the 2021-22 academic year, Alabama boasted 140 school districts that backed 386 high schools.