A new fleet of electric buses will soon be transporting students in the Burlington County Special Services School District. On Wednesday, Burlington County Commissioners, school district officials, and a state legislator gathered for a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the district’s Westampton campus to mark the introduction of 10 electric buses and five charging stations.
Burlington County Commissioner Deputy Director Allison Eckel highlighted the significance of the switch from diesel to electric vehicles. “The switch from diesel to electric powered buses is an investment in a cleaner environment and also our students’ health,” said Eckel. “Because of this upgrade, many of our Special Services School students and staff will no longer be exposed to diesel exhaust on school trips or daily commutes to and from school. The buses also run quieter and have zero carbon emissions. We believe this is a smart investment and Burlington County residents can take pride knowing this school district is blazing a path for other schools to follow.”
The new fleet consists of seven 24-passenger buses and three 54-passenger buses, replacing about half of the district’s existing diesel bus fleet that was scheduled for retirement. School officials stated their goal is eventually to replace all diesel-powered buses.
“These buses represent more than just transportation. They represent opportunity, clean air for our students, quieter neighborhoods and a forward-thinking approach to how we move our schools and state into the future,” said Dr. Ashanti Holley, Superintendent of Burlington County Special Services/BCIT. “Together we’re going to drive change, one mile, one bus and one student at a time.”
The vehicles were purchased from Wolfington Body Company using $1.6 million in federal funding secured through the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s 2023 Clean School Bus Rebate Program.
In addition to acquiring the vehicles, the district installed five charging stations with help from workers in the Burlington County Division of Construction Services. By completing projects internally with skilled union trade workers rather than hiring private contractors, costs are typically reduced by 10 to 15 percent.
Burlington County Commissioner Randy Brolo praised these efforts: “The Division of Construction Services has become one of Burlington County’s biggest successes,” he said. “In 2024 alone, the Division completed more than $17.5 million worth of construction jobs, ranging from roof and elevator repairs to building renovations and bridge replacements. This skilled labor has saved County taxpayers millions of dollars on construction expenses, so we were excited to partner with the Special Services School District to use their services for such an important project to improve children’s health and promote a cleaner environment.”
New Jersey Assemblyman Balvir Singh also attended the event: “As a parent and a public school educator, I can tell you from experience the extraordinary number of hours kids spend on buses, going back-and-forth to school and on athletic trips or other field trips,” Singh said. “This fleet of quieter and cleaner buses is a great step in the right direction and a great investment.”
Burlington County operates under a Board of County Commissioners composed of five at-large members with Eve Cullinan serving as county administrator according to its official website. The county covers 827 square miles—making it New Jersey’s largest by area—and includes 40 political subdivisions consisting of cities, boroughs, and townships (source).
The county also features Historic Smithville Park—a site with forests, meadows, streams, and wetlands—and recognizes local women’s contributions through its Outstanding Women awards program (details). Additionally, its library system aims to enrich lives by providing opportunities for learning and personal development (library information).
