SCHOOL BUS INC. PROUD SUBRECIPIENT OF FEDERAL DERA AND ARRA GRANTS

School Bus, Inc. (SBI) is pleased to announce that, in partnership with the Sioux Falls School District (SFSD), it is a recipient of federal grant funding under both the Diesel Emissions Reduction Act (DERA) and the American Recovery Reinvestment Act (ARRA). SBI will use its own funds to leverage these awards to substantially upgrade and modernize its school bus fleet to utilize the latest in diesel emissions reduction technology.

In 2008 and again in 2009, SBI, in conjunction with SFSD, applied for and received a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) grant under the DERA program with funding made possible under ARRA.  SBI is now engaged in the process of using these funds to purchase fuel operated heaters for installation on buses and utilizing the remaining funds, together with matching funds provided by SBI, to purchase new yellow school buses featuring 2007 or 2010 EPA-compliant diesel emissions technology. SBI will also provide services necessary to solicit and award bids, remove a corresponding number of old buses from service, and assist SFSD with preparation of required reports for this grant as well.

Taken together, these awards represent an extraordinary opportunity for SFSD and SBI to significantly modernize SBI’s yellow school bus and charter bus fleet. These new buses will consistently deliver enhanced efficiency, reduced idling, and greatly reduced diesel emissions throughout their useful lives. With each bus delivering substantial reduced tailpipe emissions annually, and given that each bus, with proper maintenance, can reasonably be expected to have a useful life of 10-12 years or more, the total overall emissions reductions promise to be very impressive.  The 2010 diesel engine produces 96% less NOX than the same engine built in 1994.  One school bus removes 36 passenger vehicles from the road. These reductions will significantly improve air quality in the City of Sioux Falls in general, and near Sioux Falls public schools in particular. These air quality improvements will promote the general health of Sioux Falls public school students, as well as the citizens of Sioux Falls at large.

    School Bus Inc. / SBI Charters

    Phone: 605-334-6644

    5100 W. 8th St.

    Sioux Falls, SD 57107