FESTUS, MO – The Jefferson R-VII School District is thrilled to announce a major leap forward in both sustainable transportation and community safety. As part of the prestigious Ameren EV Bus Program, the district is officially on schedule to welcome four brand-new electric (EV) buses to its fleet by late May.
This transition marks a milestone in the district’s commitment to school safety and upgraded bus fleet. In alignment with the program’s sustainability goals, the district will retire four of its older gas or diesel-powered units to make room for the new, eco-friendly arrivals.
A Second Life for Community Safety
While the old buses may be leaving the district’s daily routes, they aren’t going far. Thanks to the proactive leadership of Transportation Director Amy Manns, these retired vehicles will serve a vital new purpose. Mrs. Manns reached out to local emergency services to ensure the equipment continues to provide value to the residents of Jefferson County.
In a collaborative effort, Chief Mark Earls and Jefferson R-VII Alum Tyler Prater worked closely with Mrs. Manns to secure all four retired buses for local fire departments. The vehicles will be utilized for specialized emergency response training, specifically focusing on fire safety and extraction techniques related to bus accidents.
