The truth is that tailpipe exhaust often dirties the air inside school buses -- sometimes in quantities far higher than are found outside the bus. Our study found that levels of diesel exhaust inside a school bus can be four times higher than those found in passenger cars driving just ahead of the bus. National Resources Defense Council

The Adopt-A-School Bus Program is a joint venture between the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the State Energy Conservation Office, the North Central Texas Council of Governments, the North Central Texas Council of Governments, the Clean Air Force of Central Texas and other community partners to improve air quality and reduce diesel exhaust emitted by school buses.

SECO has funded four major cities to promote the initiatives of the Adopt-a-Bus Program. For additional information, see the following area programs:

Houston: Education Foundation of Harris County
Dallas/Fort Worth: North Central Texas Council of Governments
Austin/Central Texas: Clean Air Force of Central Texas
San Antonio: Alamo Area Council of Governments Clean Cities

Partnering for The Children The establishment of the Adopt-A-School Bus program demonstrates a commitment by many community partners to help reduce air pollution in the affected areas by replacing or retrofitting their aging diesel-powered school buses over the next three years. $700,000 Greens 109 School Buses

All participating school districts have adopted the following policies that demonstrate a commitment towards implementing policies that support retrofit projects:

1. School Transportation Services "No Idle" Policy - This policy to reduce unnecessary school bus idling in and around the school pick up and departure areas has been embraced and implemented by all participating Independent School Districts for their buses and maintenance vehicles.

2. All participating School Districts are making a strong effort to implement the use of ultra low sulfur diesel 18 months before required by the State Implementation Plan. The use of propane in the Dallas County Schools has been ongoing and will continue.

3. All participating School Districts are reducing the size of their fleet and removing the oldest buses from the fleet, when possible. They hope to have the engines scrapped so as to permanently reduce emissions.

4. All participating Independent School Districts expect to reduce the fleet size over the next two years. Cost efficiencies are met through tiered route structures and stopping only at designated bus stops.

Current Bus Projects

Alamo Area Council of Governments - San Antonio
The Adopt-a-School Bus Program will be combined with and work in conjunction with the Clean Cities Coalition in assisting school districts in the purchase of new school buses by combining grant monies raised through corporate sponsorship with matching school district funds. The program is administered through the Alamo Area Council of Governments under their Clean Air Program.

Clean Air Force of Central Texas - Austin
The Adopt-A-School Bus Program will help school districts purchase new school buses by combining grant monies raised through corporate sponsorship with matching school district funds. The program is administered through the Clean Air Force of Central Texas under their Clean Air Aware Program.

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