Bay Shore One Of Four In NY State Awarded Green School Bus Funds

BAY SHORE, NY —Four school bus entities in New York State have been awarded funds from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to replace diesel buses with greener, cleaner alternatives. Suffolk Transportation Systems, Inc. in Bay Shore will receive $400,000 to replace 20 buses in their fleet.

The EPA rebate program—under the Diesel Emissions Reduction Act—is awarding $10.5 million nationally to replace 473 diesel school buses. Replacement electric and alternative-fuel buses lessen pollutants that are harmful for lung health, and harm air quality.

"The rebates provide children with a safe and healthy way to get to school by upgrading older diesel engines in our nation’s school buses," EPA administrator Michael S. Regan.

“Through the Diesel Emissions Reduction Act, EPA is equipping local school districts with cleaner-running buses, helping them along the route to healthier kids and communities.”

The bus company will get rebates between $20K and $65K per bus.

The program targets older diesel engine buses that are still operating, before improvements in newer diesel engines emissions standards were implemented.