Photo: South Carolina Department of Education

South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster, Superintendent of Education Molly Spearman and South Carolina Department of Insurance (SCDOI) Director Ray Farmer announced the state’s total $24.54 million investment in new alternative fuel school buses and related infrastructure.

The South Carolina Department of Education will receive $23.6 million for 235 new Autogas powered school buses with funding from the second round of the state’s share of the Volkswagen Environmental Mitigation Trust. This Department also committed $87,400 to build two new LPG fuelling stations for the expanded Autogas school bus fleet throughout the state.

“This announcement shows South Carolina is fully committed to providing the safest, most efficient and environmentally friendly school buses in the nation,” said Spearman. “Not only will these new Autogas buses help ensure over 300,000 bus riders get to and from school safely and on time, it will save taxpayers millions of dollars while drastically reducing emissions.”

“Today marks an important day for our state,” commented McMaster. “Because of today’s announcement, those in our state who rely on public transit and the children who rely on our school buses will be safer.”

The school districts expected to receive buses include: Aiken, Beaufort, Berkeley, Charleston, Dorchester County School District Two, Greenville, Horry, Lexington School District One, Richland School District One, Richland School District Two and York School District Four. For more information, please check this link.

26 May 2021