The addition of a new electric bus to the North Central Parke Schools’ fleet of buses is an exciting development. The school district is one of only six in the state to receive an electric bus, which was made possible through a grant of nearly $400,000 from the Environmental Protection Agency’s clean school bus program. This grant has not only covered the cost of the bus itself, but also the charging station that will be used to power it.
The possibilities for the use of this new electric bus are numerous. It could be used in vocational programs, for athletic events, field trips and more. Currently, the district is in the process of obtaining licensing and finalizing the details to ensure that the bus can be put into use as soon as possible.
Superintendent Mike Schimpf stated that obtaining a free electric bus brings immediate savings to the corporation, and indicated that this is a great opportunity to try out newer technology in regard to NCP’s transportation system. Schimpf also said that NCP will be applying for additional buses as the opportunity arises, which means this bus may be the first of many that will be added to the North Central Parke Schools’ fleet in the future.
