Spring Branch ISD Retrofits Buses with Air Conditioning

Update for Jan. 16, 2015 – For Immediate Release

Spring Branch ISD’s Transportation Department began work in October 2014 on a Board of Trustees approved initiative that will retrofit many of the district’s school buses with air conditioning. Project completion is anticipated by May.

When completed, all regular route buses will include an upgraded alternator and an interior air-conditioning system retrofit. The air-conditioning retrofit initiative, at a projected cost of approximately $1.2 million, is funded through the district’s 2007 Bond Program, which has also added new buses to the SBISD fleet in recent years.

The district’s Transportation Department has developed a project timeline for phasing air conditioned buses into the fleet as these vehicles won’t all be retrofitted at the same time. Under this plan, it is possible that some buses serving some SBISD campuses will be air conditioned before others. In all, SBISD plans to upgrade 147 buses; by mid-January, 42 buses had been retrofit with air conditioning.  In addition, all Special Education buses have air conditioning systems.

Twenty-two buses that are being used for field trips of short distances will not be retrofit with air conditioning. These same vehicles will be replaced soon with new, air conditioned buses so it is not deemed cost effective to upgrade them at this time.

SBISD is excited about making buses more comfortable for both students and bus drivers. We believe that this enhancement will help our district remain competitive and retain the best drivers possible for all our children.

If you have additional questions, please contact:

Jennifer Blaine, Ed.D.
SBISD Associate Superintendent for Administration and Operations
jennifer.blaine@springbranchisd.com

Sherri Lawson
SBISD Director for Transportation
sherri.lawson@springbranchisd.com