Bakersfield.com

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The Kern County Superintendent of Schools on June 16th rolled out seven clean fuel burning school buses that will replace higher polluting diesel buses. The buses were placed into service immediately following the rollout.

These new compressed natural gas (CNG) powered buses were put on display for the first time as were the buses that were taken out of service, to be crushed and recycled with the metal being used to make other products.

“Our commitment is to replace at least seven buses each year until our student transportation fleet is powered entirely by CNG buses,” said Kern County Superintendent of Schools Larry E. Reider. “Our poor air quality makes far too many children susceptible to asthma and other health issues. This causes many to miss school. And that means they miss out on valuable learning.”

Reider expressed appreciation to the Rose Foundation whose $340,000 grant paid a significant part of the $1.1 million cost to buy the new buses.

Reider noted school buses always are a significant purchase for any school agency. But CNG buses are more economical to operate than diesel powered. Oil need not be changed as frequently, and CNG is cheaper than diesel fuel.

The new buses bring to 45 the number powered by CNG or more than half of the 95 buses fleet.

“I’ll be the first to tell you, this is a small step toward cleaner air. But it’s an important step which we, as a public agency, must take if we are to shift from dialogue to action,” said Reider.

In 2006, Reider opened a CNG fueling facility at Union Avenue and Terrace Way, just south of Highway 58. The facility is open to public and private users and can be accessed 24-hours a day.