BUFFALO, N.Y. (WKBW) — The Sweet Home Central School District is among the first in Western New York to begin converting its school buses as part of a statewide transition away from diesel.
"We want to make sure that not only are kids safe, but we're helping the environment as well," said Superintendent Mike Ginestre.
Superintendent Ginestre said this move was also driven by the opportunity to secure grant funding and ease the burden on taxpayers.
"We knew we wanted to push forward and try and get every grant dollar we possibly could to ease the burden on our taxpayers," said Superintendent Ginestre. "That initiative and planning is working, and we're getting grant money to fund our electric initiative and flip our fleet."
WATCH: Sweet Home Central Schools roll out electric buses as students head back
Three electric buses are already ready for the 2025–26 school year, with more on the way. Within the next couple of years, 11 of the nearly 70 buses will be electric.
Assistant Superintendent Don Feldmann said staff have undergone extensive training and are ready to go. He added that students will notice one major difference.
"It'll be a much quieter ride for our kids," said Feldmann. "Hopefully, that'll be a benefit to them as well."
