Osseo Area Schools ISD 279: Two Electric Buses Join Osseo Area Schools Fleet

Press release from the Osseo Area Schools ISD 279:

November 11, 2021

Osseo Area Schools transportation partner Northstar Bus Lines was awarded a grant from the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency to purchase three electric buses and charging stations to transport students in the district.

Superintendent Cory McIntyre and Coordinator of Transportation Nick Martini spoke about the excitement of adding three fully-electric school buses to the fleet thanks to the grant.

“It is exciting to be on the leading edge of such a positive change in school transportation,” said McIntyre. “Osseo Area Schools is committed to continuous improvement. Having reliable and high-functioning transportation is one of many ways Osseo Area Schools is working toward that effort.”

This grant enables District 279 to provide emissions-free school transportation service in population-dense areas, like Brooklyn Park, which already have a large volume of passenger vehicles and city buses.

“I am overjoyed to see the results of hard work and collaboration on this project benefit the young scholars in our district,” said Martini.

According to the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, changing from diesel to all-electric buses can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by at least 29 tons per vehicle. In total, awarded grant projects are anticipated to reduce pollution from greenhouse gas emissions by 1,120 tons.

The new buses are already driving students to school. Keep an eye (and ear) out for the fully-electric buses–they play music as they arrive at a stop!

• Learn more about the grant from MPCA
• Read the CCX Media story
• Watch the story on KSTP
• Watch the story on Fox 9

This press release was produced by the Osseo Area Schools ISD 279. The views expressed here are the author’s own.