By: Diane Benjamin

Remember when Unit 5 bought electric buses? They didn’t notice Connect Transit dumped theirs? https://blnnews.com/2024/11/22/unit-5-bought-5-electric-buses/

A reader sent me this link – NY City is dumping electric buses now because they aren’t reliable and require too much maintenance and electricity: NYC-turns-back-gas-buses-finding-hard-way-electric-versions-big-problems

I sent a FOIA to Unit 5. I’m still waiting for a response to this part of the FOIA: Any staff reports/documents pertaining to the electric buses.

Unit 5 bought three 61 passenger buses and two 72 passenger buses. Grand total: $2,032,690, including tariffs of $41,250 because parts are imported from probably China, Mexico, and Canada. According to the above story, that cost is $43,325 less than the School Board approved. The buses are assembled in the United States.

The invoice for the 61 is dated 7/3/2025, the other two are dated 5/5/2025. Unit 5 is listed as the purchaser on both invoices.

I have two invoices for repairs, both dated September 9, 2026. The first one shows:

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Unit 5 paid $3,230.32 which makes zero sense for replacing batteries especially without warranty covering the cost. The mileage for each bus isn’t listed.

The second invoice is for:

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This repair was covered by the warranty.

Both invoices show First Student as the owner, not Unit 5. They are a huge private company serving 1250 school districts in 39 states and parts of Canada (according to AI). I have no idea why Unit 5 taxpayers bought buses for them. Would you hire a company to transport students and provide the buses?

If your kids are riding an electric bus, ask them to let you know about problems – especially heat this winter.

FOIA response: