Governor Hochul speaks on transition to electric school buses, defers to legislature

SYRACUSE, N.Y. (WSYR-TV) — Taxpayers have told school administrators they don’t want to pay for electric buses, making it seemingly impossible for districts to meet the legally required transition.

Governor Kathy Hochul wants people to know why zero-emission buses are better.

“The existing diesel or gas-powered buses are not safe for our children. They’re standing there idling at the bus stop. Children are ingesting these toxic fumes,” Gov. Hochul said.

Those buses are banned for purchase starting in 2027, and, after a transition, have to be off the road in 2035.

“It’s not an overnight idea, said Gov. Hochul. “It’s been out there for a number of years, and hoping communities can prepare for the changes in our whole way of powering everything from our homes, businesses, to our vehicles and our buses.”

The problem is at the polls. Last month, some voters rejected their districts’ requests to buy the first of the fleet.

“There’s an education process that has to continue,” Gov. Hochul said. “The state can help at even greater levels to help these school districts meet these demands.”

She touted the $500 million available in state grants. Baldwinsville’s allotted portion didn’t convince its voters. If they can’t get more money, superintendents want more time.

When asked about changing the timeline of the rollout of the electric buses, Governor Hochul said: “That is something that would be up to the legislature because this was the law that was drafted back in 2019, enacted by my predecessor and the legislature, and we are required to follow that at this time.”

Syracuse’s state senators are split on the issue.

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