The latest state budget language extends the deadline for NY school bus contractors by five years, pushing the zero-emission school bus mandate to 2040.
Under the latest budget bill language:
- The 2027 deadline is extended to 2032.
- The 2035 deadline is extended to 2040.
Impact on contractors
- Diesel/gas bus purchasing window extended. Contractors would not be required to purchase only zero-emission buses for the NY school district work until July 1, 2032.
- Full fleet conversion deadline moved to 2040. Contractors serving school districts would have until July 1, 2040, before all buses used for district transportation must be zero-emission.
Additional note
Earlier draft budget language had included a new building-aid provision for incremental zero-emission school bus storage and make-ready infrastructure costs, including:
- facility modifications
- fire suppression
- charge management systems
- trenching
- conductors
- panels
However, the final version now focuses only on changing the §3638 electric school bus mandate dates.
This is the first of the remaining budget bills to be amended. The remaining budget bills still need to be amended/passed. We will continue to monitor the budget and share updates as they become available.
