GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (GRPS) -- Grand Rapids Public Schools will benefit from nearly $5.2 million toward the purchase of 15 electric school buses.
The funding comes from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's 2023 Clean School Bus Rebate Program. Dean Transportation, on behalf of GRPS, was selected for the largest total funding award in the State of Michigan through this round of the rebate program. The rebate application was submitted by Dean Transportation.
The funding will partially cover the costs of purchasing 15 electric school buses and infrastructure to support the buses. Dean Transportation is working on steps required to deploy the buses, which will include ordering and installing charging stations. The goal is to have the first electric school buses on the road transporting GRPS scholars in 2025.
"Dean Transportation buses travel thousands of miles every school day in Grand Rapids," said Dean Transportation Director of Innovation Christopher Dean. "We have been working for years to secure funding that will allow for the adoption of zero-emissions vehicles while continuing to pursue excellence in transportation and innovation on behalf of GRPS. We are thrilled by this news and excited to continue our work on deploying electric school buses."
According to the EPA, the grants announced this week will provide a total of $900 million to school districts in 47 states and Washington D.C., along with several federally recognized Tribes and U.S. territories.
