2023/2024 BUS AND EQUIPMENT PROPOSITION

ON MAY 16, VOTERS WILL CONSIDER THE FOLLOWING VEHICLE AND EQUIPMENT PURCHASES

• 10 Seventy-two  (72) Passenger Buses    
• 4 Thirty-five (35) Passenger vans
• 4 Seven (7) Passenger Minivans
• 1 Wheelchair Van
• 1 Backhoe

This year’s bus and equipment proposition is for $$2,247,000 bonded over five years. Bus costs totaling $2,147,000 are eligible for state transportation aid at the rate of 70%, so the local share is $644,100.

Arlington’s Transportation Department‘s primary responsibility is to provide students with safe transportation to and from school. This requires us to maintain safe, reliable vehicles that meet all NYS Department of Transportation requirements. In order to maintain our fleet in a fiscally responsible manner, we adhere to a year-to-year schedule for replacing our older buses. This provides cost predictability for the District and for our taxpayers. We need to replace buses after 10–12 years that have excessive mileage or undercarriage rusting. This replacement cycle helps to avoid expensive repairs and the need for emergency leasing. Purchasing new vehicles through a bond maximizes state aid and our buying power.

WHAT IF THE BUS PROPOSITION DOES NOT PASS?

As noted, Arlington maintains a schedule for bus replacements. If we do not replace buses in one year, then we need to replace more buses in subsequent years. This interrupts budget sustainability and predictability. Operating older buses increases our repair costs and has the potential to increase the number of buses taken out of service by the DOT. We want to avoid making cuts to our educational programs due to additional costs incurred from added repairs or the need to lease buses.

Bus Proposition 2 Ballot Wording