UPDATE: Rockland BOCES Will Be First in Nation to Use Wheelchair-Accessible Hybrid Buses

This week Rockland BOCES becomes the first school district in the nation to use wheelchair-accessible, hybrid buses. The two new wheelchair-accessible hybrid buses will reduce BOCES' carbon footprint by 30 percent. The buses have 12 standard seats and can hold four wheelchairs.

The new buses will begin transporting students to the Kaplan Summer School Program on Wednesday, marking the first time that any school district has used hybrid wheelchair-accessible buses.  

The bus purchases were made possible by the NYSERDA (New York State Energy Research and Development Authority) grant, funded in part by American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. 

According to Rockland BOCES Public Information Coordinator Stephanie Gouss, BOCES was sold two buses for the price of one, saving them about $66,000. Because the buses are hybrids, the district will save 40% on fuel and 30% on maintenance. 

Rockland BOCES District Superintendent Dr. Mary Jean Marsico encouraged staff to apply for grants, hoping that this could supplement fundraising. Rockland BOCES Director of Transportation William Popkave and his staff were able to secure the NYSERDA grant.

West Nyack-based BOCES joins with Rockland school districts to provide programs and services that all the schools share. One program assists students with developmental disabilities, and emotional and/or learning challenges.