A total of $2 million in incentive funding is available to purchase mid or full-size CNG school buses. The incentive monies go directly to each school bus vendor to buy-down the cost of a bus, which is then available for purchase at a lower cost. The MSRC began its first alternative fuel school bus incentive program in 1994 with the goal of replacing older, diesel or gasoline Type I school buses with new low-emission, original equipment manufacturer (OEM) dedicated CNG school buses. Three types of CNG school buses are available to receive buy-down incentives in various amounts (not all vendors offer all of the school bus types). These include:
• Heavy-duty full size Type D buses - $60,000 incentive • Heavy-duty mid-size Type D buses - $50,000 • Heavy-duty (gross vehicle weight of 14,050 lbs) Type A buses - $25,000
Three bus vendors have been qualified to participate in the program including:
A-Z Bus Sales, Colton -- A-Z is the local distributor for Blue Bird CNG buses. The Type A Blue Bird bus has a capacity of 18 to 24 passengers with a range of more than 120 miles. The Type D Blue Bird Bus measures 40 feet, seats between 60 and 84 passengers, and offers a range of more than 300 miles.
California Bus Sales, Fresno -- California Bus Sales is a distributor of Thomas Built full and mid-size Type D vehicles. The full-size Type D bus measures 40 feet and seats 84 passengers. The mid-size vehicle has a length of 32 feet and a seating capacity of 66 passengers. California Bus Sales stocks 84-passenger CNG school buses that meet all state and federal regulations.
Southern California Thomas Bus Sales, Whittier – Southern California Thomas Bus Sales offers the full and mid-sized Type D vehicles.
For more information, please call (909) 396-3269.