ocps field trip bus

OCPS schools to debut Florida’s first electric school buses, a pilot to test costs

Orlando Sentinel | By Leslie Postal | February 20, 2023

Six electric school buses will soon be driving Orange County Public Schools students to and from school, as the district becomes the first in Florida to put these vehicles on the road.

The new buses will be used on routes in west Orange and in the Pine Hills area and will help OCPS test whether the more expensive electric buses save money in the long run because of lower fuel costs.

About 60 students and bus driver Gary Giddens took one of the electric buses on a test run last week.

“They were so excited,” Giddens said.

He was, too. The electric bus was much quieter, smelled better and offered a smoother ride than than the diesel-powered vehicles he usually drives, said Giddens, who has been an OCPS driver for 20 years. And it made a return to the bus depot simpler.

“All you’ve got to do now is plug it in. You don’t have to go to the fuel pump,” he said.

But the electric buses — which fit with the district’s “going green” efforts — have downsides, too, said Bill Wen, senior director of transportation.

Their range now is about 100 to 200 miles between recharging sessions, depending on the model, he said. That means the buses likely will not be doing field trips or transporting sports teams to far-flung games. The six buses need to use the new OCPS charging station at its transportation center on Pine Hills Road, so will be used for routes that allow an easy return there.

The new buses represent just a fraction of the OCPS fleet, which includes about 1,000 diesel buses that transport about 69,000 OCPS students a year.

With a cost of about $360,000 per bus, the electric vehicles are about three times more expensive than their diesel counterparts, Wen said. But a grant from the state’s Department of Environmental Protection covered the difference for the six new electric buses, allowing OCPS to pay what it normally would per vehicle.

The department provided the grants because it got money from the Volkswagen settlement, an agreement the car manufacturer made with the federal government after being found in violation of the Clean Air Act, and decided to use those funds for “projects that mitigate diesel emissions from mobile sources.”

The department’s electric school bus project will spend $57 million of that settlement money helping to buy 218 electric school buses in seven Florida counties — Broward, Manatee, Miami-Dade, Orange, Palm Beach, Pinellas and Sarasota counties, according to its website. Broward will get the most, with 60 electric buses slated to debut in that South Florida school district.

Orange is the first to get the electric buses on the road, Wen said, as supply chain issues have delayed all the districts’ efforts. One of OCPS’ six buses has not yet arrived, though five are ready to transport students.

“We’re proud to be the first to get it going,” he added.

Rate This Article

Fiu gets $6m to boost mental healt..., osceola schools settle lawsuit ove....

DeSantis signs law targeting t...

Are Florida’s book remov...

FL’s educator preparation prog...

Corporate Trips

Your Bus Your Group Your Way

(855)-287-2427

Free Cost Calculator

Rent a Charter Bus for Your School Outing

The affordable and safe solution for any school trip.

When you're taking students, faculty and staff on a trip, there's an added level of concern and responsibility—you want to get everyone there and back with the least amount of hassle, and without unnecessary concerns about safety or accountability. Whether it's an athletic team competition, a prom or graduation after-party, a club or class excursion, or an arts or cultural offering, a charter bus lets you travel with comfort, convenience, safety and affordability.

Why a Charter Bus Makes Sense for Your School Trip

There's no better option for a school outing than a charter bus rental from US Coachways:

• It's the safest mode of group travel— With a charter bus, you'll have a highly trained professional at the wheel at all times. You won't have to worry about the driving skills of a number of parents or chaperones, and you won't have to worry about anyone getting lost. In addition, because of the limited access to the bus, you won't have unwanted guests—you and your students will be safe and secure.
• You'll have unparalleled flexibility— There's no other mode of transportation that lets you decide when you'll leave, where you'll go, how long you'll stay and when you'll come back. If a game goes into overtime, you're covered—last-minute and real-time changes to your itinerary can often be accommodated. You can even book an entire trip with little advance notice.
• You can count on a charter bus— You won't have to worry about getting there late and missing something. Delays and cancellations are virtually nonexistent with charter buses. Your driver has the resources to identify potential traffic problems and find alternate routes to get you there on time. Replacement vehicles are often quickly available, thanks to our extensive network of charter bus service providers nationwide.
• You can relax— With most group trips, someone has to watch the GPS or keep an eye on the clock. Someone has to battle traffic, look for a parking space or get behind the wheel when the game's over. On a charter bus, your driver will handle all those details. You won't have to worry about missed connections or lost luggage. You'll be on the same coach for the entire trip and your gear will travel with you. You won't have to stand in a TSA security line, take off your shoes or empty your pockets. You can leave your phone on all the time—it won't interfere with navigational systems.
• You can ride in comfort— If you travel on a mini-bus or full-sized charter bus, you'll have plush and spacious seats with plenty of leg room. You'll also enjoy wide aisles and the ability to move freely about the cabin.
• You can use the bus for more than just travel— Use your travel time to prepare students, talk strategy, give last minute instructions or break the ice.
• You can take advantage of the HOV (high occupancy vehicle) lanes— That helps you minimize time stuck in traffic.
• Charter buses are a cost-effective way to travel— When you ride together, you share many of the costs of transportation. That routinely makes charter bus travel one of the most affordable options.
• You'll help the environment— When you travel together on a charter bus, you reduce the number of private vehicles on the roads. That lowers emissions and helps the planet.

At US Coachways, we have provided effective group travel solutions for more than three decades. To get a free estimate of the cost of a charter bus rental, use our online Cost Calculator . For more information about our services, all 1-855-287-2427 and speak to an experienced customer service agent.

Frequently Asked Questions about Bus Rentals for School Trips

• What is the best vehicle for our group?
• That depends on a number of factors. At US Coachways, we'll look at the details of your trip—how many students and staff will be traveling, how long you'll be on the road, what you'll be bringing with you, and whether your participants have any special needs. Then we'll work with our nationwide network of vendors to find the ideal coach for your outing. If you're traveling with a small-to-mid-sized group, the mini-bus is a great option, with seating for 24 to 35. For larger groups, the full-sized bus accommodates up to 57 passengers. School buses are also available for rent, if you're looking for a more streamlined and affordable option. We'll also make certain there's ample room for anything you need to bring, from band instruments to sports equipment. Multiple bus rentals are always an option.
• Will US Coachways provide SPAB or 19A-certified drivers?
• Yes. US Coachways has relationships with vendors who carry School Pupil Activities Bus (SPAB) and Article 19-A certifications and will always ensure that the driver has all appropriate state driving qualifications.
• Are seat belts required for school buses or travel?
• The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) requires three point seat belts on all school buses weighing less than 10,000 pounds. Seat belt use for larger buses is regulated on a state-by-state basis. US Coachways will always follow all relevant laws governing the use of seat belts.
• Who handles payment? Will US Coachways accept a purchase order?
• Work directly with your booking agent to confirm who will take your payment and how it will be made. As a general rule, US Coachways takes purchase orders. Cash, checks and credit cards are also accepted.
• How much will it cost to rent a charter bus for our school trip?
• The total cost of a charter bus rental varies, based on a number of criteria:
• How many people will be traveling—This dictates the size of your bus. As a general rule, the larger the bus, the greater the cost.
• The amenities you'll need—Most charter buses come with certain standard features, including Wifi, DVD players, stereo and PA systems and charging stations for your devices. The school buses, however, typically don't have these options and are less expensive. For additional amenities, such as an on-board bathroom, you'll typically pay a bit more.
• When and where you are traveling—The cost of a charter bus is typically more in the winter months in Florida than the summer months (there's greater demand). The opposite generally holds true in Northern climates. You will also typically pay more for a charter bus on Friday, Saturday and Sunday than other days of the week.
• How long you will be gone—For day trips, you'll either pay by the mile or by the hour (expect a minimum charge—usually five hours). For day trips, the most common way to bill is by the day. If you stay anywhere overnight, you can expect to pay the cost of lodging for your driver.
• Whether there are any tolls, parking fees, permit charges or other expenses—You will be responsible for all such costs.
• To get a better idea of the potential cost, use our online Cost Calculator .

Get the US Coachways Advantage

When you book a charter bus rental with US Coachways, you'll have the benefits of:

• A dedicated service team, committed to meeting your specific needs—You'll have a single point of contact throughout your trip.
• The US Coachways online Trip Management Portal—This cutting edge tool lets you view information about all prior trips on a single website, including invoices, contracts and other data.
• Access to more than 2,000 charter buses across the country—We have the long-term vendor relationships to help you find the ideal vehicle for your group.
• Our experience and flexibility—We have been industry leaders in the charter bus rental business for more than 30 years. Because of our strong relationships with a large network of charter bus service providers, we offer unmatched flexibility to our clients. Last-minute and real-time changes to your itinerary can often be accommodated, and entire trips can be booked with relatively little notice.
• Full dispatch services 24/7
• Our purchasing power—We book an average of more than $55 million in charter bus rentals every year. We have local market exposure and strong vendor loyalty that helps us get excellent pricing for our clients.
• A GSA (General Services Administration) approved company—We are authorized to provide charter bus rental services to federal government agencies and entities, from FEMA and the FBI to the U.S. Marines and the Navy.

Book a Charter Bus for Your School Travel Today!

At US Coachways, we have decades of experience providing effective group travel solutions to school administrators and officials across the nation. To get a free quote on the cost of a charter bus rental for any school outing, go to our user-friendly online Cost Calculator . For answers to any questions you may have, or to learn more about the full scope of our services, call 1-855-287-2427 to speak with an experienced group travel consultant.

CALL NOW FOR A FREE QUOTE 1-855-287-2427

© 2024 uscoachways.com | All images and text site wide are copyright of uscoachways.com

We use cookies to improve your experience on our website & for analytical purposes. Our Privacy Policy provides more information about the cookies we use & the data collected.

Families of victims in fatal N.J. school bus crash settle lawsuits for $20.5M

• Updated: May. 01, 2024, 1:39 p.m. |
• Published: May. 01, 2024, 11:35 a.m.

The fatal bus crash occurred May 17, 2018, when students from Eastbrook Middle School in Paramus were headed to Waterloo Village in Stanhope as part of a fifth-grade field trip. File

• Anthony G. Attrino | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

A trucking company involved in a 2018 Paramus school bus crash in Morris County that left two people dead has settled a lawsuit for $650,000, bringing total settlement amounts in the case to more than $20 million, an attorney said Wednesday.

Bruce Nagel , who represented the families of one child who was killed and another who was severely injured, said Mendez Trucking agreed to settle the lawsuit in January after years of litigation.

“The amounts of the settlements are certainly significant as was the loss of the child and the significant injuries to the other young man,” Nagel said Wednesday. “I’m pleased to finally resolve this after five years.”

Killed in the crash were teacher Jennifer M. Williamson , 51, and student Miranda Vargas , age 10. Another student, Asher Majeed , who was 10 at the time, was critically injured in the crash.

Nagel said Paramus Public Schools reached settlements last fall with the family of Vargas for $7 million and with the family of Majeed for $12.5 million.

An attorney for Mendez Trucking did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the settlement.

Jennifer Williamson, left, and Miranda Vargas died in a May 2018 school bus crash on Route 80 in Mount Olive.

The horrific crash occurred May 17, 2018, as school bus driver Hudy Muldrow Sr. drove students from Eastbrook Middle School in Paramus to Waterloo Village in Stanhope as part of a fifth-grade field trip.

Muldrow, then 77, cut across three lanes on Route 80 in Mount Olive in an attempt to reach a cut-through to get to the other side of the highway after missing an exit. The school bus collided with a dump truck owned by Mendez Trucking.

According to civil court documents, Muldrow’s driving record included at least 16 violations, including eight speeding tickets and at least one improper lane change, five crashes and 14 license suspensions — including one that occurred the same year as the fatal crash.

Muldrow was sentenced to 10 years in state prison after he pleaded guilty to reckless vehicular homicide, assault by auto and child endangerment.

Stories by Anthony G. Attrino

• Driver charged with bias intimidation after clash with Palestine supporters
• Pedestrian killed in crash near shopping mall in Ocean County
• Social media influencer sued over video prank during children’s private tennis lesson at N.J. club

Thank you for relying on us to provide the journalism you can trust. Please consider supporting NJ.com with a subscription.

Anthony G. Attrino may be reached at [email protected] . Follow him on X @TonyAttrino . Find NJ.com on Facebook .

If you purchase a product or register for an account through a link on our site, we may receive compensation. By using this site, you consent to our User Agreement and agree that your clicks, interactions, and personal information may be collected, recorded, and/or stored by us and social media and other third-party partners in accordance with our Privacy Policy.