SUPERINTENDENT CARVALHO UNVEILS M-DCPS’ NEW BUS FLEET

Superintendent of Schools Alberto M. Carvalho unveiled the school district’s new bus fleet this morning at the school district’s bus depot.   

The 255 new, clean-diesel buses are high-efficiency vehicles that will reduce the school district’s carbon footprint, replace older buses and bring fuel consumption and maintenance costs down.  The air-conditioned buses feature a unique frontal framework that gives drivers better visibility.  Disc brakes and anti-lock brakes provide for added student safety.

The new buses are expected to nearly double the gas mileage provided by the older ones.  They produce almost no harmful emissions, and carbon monoxide emissions are zero.  The buses will be used throughout the county.

Suntrust Equipment Finance & Leasing Corp. provided a historically low financing rate of 2.12 percent over a 10-year term.  The district originally planned on buying 250 buses and was able to negotiate a deal for five additional buses.  Due to projected savings from the bus upgrade, the district is expected to achieve a net present value savings of $1.4 million.  Savings will be achieved through reduced maintenance costs, fuel efficiencies, greater reliability and on-time route performance.

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