Rising fuel prices across the country are putting pressure on schools, businesses and families alike.
At USD 257, the bad news is tempered by the fact the school year has ended before the costs go any higher and that they have two electric buses in their fleet.
The district currently operates a mix of diesel, gasoline and electric buses.
Two of the district’s regular routes are served by electric buses for most of the school year, while additional routes use diesel buses, gasoline-powered buses and a van.
Director of Operations Aaron Cole said the district’s investment in electric buses has helped reduce transportation costs during a period of volatile fuel prices.
“Compared to the price of diesel, based on our energy charge, it is costing roughly half as much for the district to run the electric buses as it would be if they were a diesel bus,” he noted.
Cole estimated the district saved hundreds of dollars annually on fuel costs by using the electric buses.
“The district spends about $1,200 or $1,300 a year in diesel fuel for routes, and it costs us around half of that in electricity for those same routes for the year,” he said.
Part of the recent increase in fuel prices has been tied to instability surrounding the Strait of Hormuz, a narrow shipping passage between the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman that handles roughly one-fifth of the world’s oil supply.
Even the threat of shipping interruptions in the Strait can quickly affect diesel and gasoline prices across the United States.
Diesel prices have been particularly difficult for transportation industries because diesel powers most freight trucks, farm equipment and school buses. This week, diesel prices are nearing record highs nationally.
For USD 257, those higher prices translate directly into daily transportation costs.
Cole said a standard diesel bus route averages about 50 miles each day between morning and afternoon routes, with buses getting roughly 10 miles per gallon.
“So, it’s about $20 a day per bus,” Cole said of operating a typical diesel route.
USD 257 was able to purchase the two electric buses at the end of 2024 through a $690,000 grant from the Environmental Protection Agency’s Clean School Bus Program.
The funding, created through former President Joe Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, helped the district purchase the buses and a dual charging station.
