SUFFOLK TRANSPORTATION SERVICE TEAMS UP WITH BAY SHORE SCHOOL DISTRICT TO WIN ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY GRANT FOR MORE THAN $1 MILLION
Funding Will Be Used to Purchase New Electric Buses for the Bay Shore, Brentwood and Central Islip School Districts
(Bay Shore, NY…May 13, 2021) Suffolk Transportation Service, Inc. (STS), leading transportation provider well-known for its long-time commitment to sustainable operations, has partnered with the Bay Shore Union Free School District to secure a Diesel Emissions Reduction Act (DERA) National Grant from the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Office of Transportation and Air Quality for more than $1 million to purchase seven state-of-the-art electric buses. This funding will enable STS and the Bay Shore School District to expand their CLEAN BUSES initiative, launched in 2018, to include the neighboring school districts of Brentwood and Central Islip. The announcement was made on May 11 at the STS Safety & Training Facility, 50 Saxon Ave, Bay Shore, NY.
In attendance was an enthusiastic group of representatives from the three participating school districts and STS. Electric buses were available on site for tours and rides for all who were interested in experiencing the uniqueness of riding in an electric bus.
STS was awarded the EPA grant based on a demonstrated existing commitment to achieving significant reductions in diesel emissions by employing cleaner, more efficient vehicles and equipment, and a plan to continue this commitment by implementing additional “green” strategies and policies after EPA funding for this project has ended. STS currently has four electric buses in use for the Bay Shore School District.
“For the last 15 years, our company has been building and testing electric-hybrid and plug-in technologies in an effort to run the most sustainable operation possible,” said John Corrado, President of Suffolk Transportation Service, Inc. “We are committed to converting our fleet over to all electric as soon as we can. It is the clean choice and the smart choice for our communities and our children.
“The rebates provide children with a safe and healthy way to get to school by upgrading older diesel engines in our nation’s school buses,” said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan.
“Through the Diesel Emissions Reduction Act, EPA is equipping local school districts with cleaner-running buses, helping them along the route to healthier kids and communities.”
On behalf of the Islip Town Board, I applaud Suffolk Transportation Service for bringing this technology to our communities,” said Town of Islip Supervisor Angie Carpenter.
“According to health experts, children are susceptible to the negative effects of pollution, which has been linked to asthma and poor test performance in schools. We look forward to our continued partnership with Suffolk Transportation Service, serving our communities and our children.”
“This expansion of the number of electric buses in the fleet will mean more of a reduction in our carbon footprint and environmental impact,” said Bay Shore Superintendent Joseph Bond. “I would like to thank John Corrado and everyone at Suffolk Transportation for working with us and our Transportation Director, Rich Gallagher, to secure this EPA grant and help us make our communities the best they can be.”
“We are thrilled and proud that Suffolk Transportation intends on replacing their fleet of diesel buses over the next several years with clean running electric school busses,” said Richard Loeschner, Superintendent of Brentwood Union Free School District. “It is initiatives such as this that will help reduce carbon emissions and protect the environment.”
“The Central Islip School District is proud to be a part of this innovative green initiative in partnership with Bay Shore and Brentwood School Districts and Suffolk Transportation Service, under the leadership of President John Corrado,” said Sharon A. Dungee, Superintendent of Schools Central Islip UFSD. “Suffolk Transportation Service sets the standard with this groundbreaking green initiative, providing an example for our children and future generations to follow as we move forward to protect our environment and our health by implementing this bold step.”
The CLEAN BUSES initiative has provided significant reductions in diesel emissions for the thousands of residents living within the Bay Shore School District, where youth experience major respiratory illnesses and asthma. The expansion of CLEAN BUSES to include the nearby school districts of Brentwood and Central Islip represents an unprecedented approach to addressing the increasing seriousness of diesel toxins in our region, while helping to create a cleaner breathing environment for our young people.
About Suffolk Transportation Service, Inc.: With ten state-of-the-art facilities on Long Island, Suffolk Transportation Service, Inc. combines the most advanced technology with top-notch leadership and caring employees to provide its customers with the highest level of safety, security, and professionalism. From sophisticated video surveillance to the latest in digital technology, Suffolk Transportation is an industry leader in safety both nationally and locally, as it has been since its founding in 1955. Suffolk Bus Corporation, the public transportation division of the company, has not only served the general public, it also has a dedicated staff specifically trained in working with people with special needs. The company’s many awards and distinctions include: the New York State Bus Contractors Association’s “Contractor of the Year” Award; the Public Transportation Safety Board’s “A” rating; First Place in the National Special Needs Competition; Winner’s Circle distinction more than 40 times in annual New York State safety competitions; School Bus Fleet magazine’s “National School Bus Contractor of the Year” award; voted by its employees in 2019 as one of the best companies to work for in New York State in an anonymous survey conducted by the New York State Society for Human Resource Management; recipient of Newsday’s Best Company award 2018; and selected as one of the 2021 Forbes Best Company in the Nation. For more information, visit suffolkbus.com/ride- green
