As the former mayor of the rapidly growing Heber City community, I know the immense challenges local leaders face. How do we manage such growth while protecting the quality of life that drew us here in the first place? We spend countless hours talking about roads, water and sewer infrastructure, but there is one critical piece of public infrastructure that is ready for a long-term upgrade: the yellow school bus.
It’s time for school districts in Utah to accelerate the transition to electric school buses (ESBs). This isn’t just an environmental choice; it is a decision rooted in fiscal responsibility, public health and forward-thinking municipal planning.
For years, Utah communities have grappled with poor air quality. Vehicles are a major contributor, and the iconic yellow diesel bus, while essential, is a daily culprit. Diesel exhaust is a known carcinogen and is pumped directly into the air our children breathe at bus stops, in loading zones and even inside the bus cabin itself.
Our children are our most vulnerable citizens. Their developing lungs, especially those of students managing asthma or other respiratory conditions, deserve better. Electric school buses offer zero tailpipe emissions, making the route to school quieter and the air around our neighborhoods cleaner. Salt Lake City and Park City school districts have already shown that ESBs can handle our climate and our routes with efficiency. This change is an immediate, tangible quality-of-life improvement that directly impacts the health of our student populations.
Electric school buses offer a safer, proven alternative. Children who ride them experience 16% less exposure to air pollution, while the risk of asthma-related hospitalizations drops by 7%. Electric school buses are also four times quieter than diesel, improving students’ mood and focus — especially important for children with special needs who are more sensitive to noise and environmental stress. Healthier transportation supports academic success as students on electric school buses miss 8% fewer school days.
Parents see the connection. A recent poll found two-thirds believe cutting noise and fumes on buses would improve student performance and mental health.
From a financial perspective, I recognize the importance of fiscal responsibility and long-term investment. Although electric school buses may cost more upfront than diesel models, they save school districts money in the long run by lowering operating, maintenance and fuel costs.
There are also funding opportunities that make the transition more feasible. Federal and state incentives provide substantial financial support to replace aging diesel fleets with electric school buses. And companies like Highland Electric Fleets contribute to the transition toward zero-emission transportation by providing a range of services that simplify and reduce the cost for school districts interested in adopting electric vehicles.
The facts are clear: Electric school buses protect children’s health. Utah’s lawmakers should seriously consider choosing clean, healthy and quiet yellow school buses for our students.
As a community leader, I championed a proactive approach to planning. Moving our fleets to electric school buses isn’t a reactive measure to a future crisis; it is a fundamental, pragmatic investment in the long-term well-being of the next generation of Utahns. It is time for every school board and local government to recognize the quiet revolution taking place and put our students first by embracing the clean, smart ride of the electric school bus.