BOARD MEETING DATE: January 5, 2007
AGENDA NO. 7

Approve Funding Award from MSRC for CNG School Buses to Private School Bus Transportation Service Provider and Establish First Come First Served Allocation Methodology for Private School Bus Providers

SYNOPSIS:

On September 8, 2006, the Board approved an MSRC allocation of $2 million for CNG school bus incentives to private school bus transportation service providers.  Additionally, the Board approved an MSRC recommendation to have the AQMD administer the program for the purpose of implementing District Rule 1195.  This action is to approve an award to Student Transportation of America, a private school bus transportation service provider, in the amount of $1,137,580 to purchase 23 CNG school buses, and to approve the award on a first-come basis for additional private providers for the remaining $862,420 allocated in this MSRC work program category.

COMMITTEE:

Not Applicable

RECOMMENDED ACTION:

1. Approve an award amount not to exceed $1,137,580 to Student Transportation of America for the cost differential to purchase 23 CNG school buses to be used in the South Coast Air District jurisdiction.
2. Approve a firstcome, first-served allocation methodology for private school bus transportation services providers for the remaining $862,420 of MSRC funding pursuant to the 2006-07 Work Program allocation of $2 million in this category, with awards to be approved by the Board.

Barry R. Wallerstein, D.Env.
Executive Officer

Background

At its August 17, 2006 meeting, the MSRC approved funding under the FY 2006-07 Work Program for CNG school bus incentives to private school bus transportation service providers.  Specifically, the MSRC approved an allocation of $2 million for CNG school bus incentives for private school bus transportation service providers.  Subsequently, the Board approved this action at its September 8, 2006 meeting.  In addition, the MSRC requested that the program be administered by AQMD staff.  A private school bus transportation service provider has applied for funding.

Proposal

This action is to approve an award to Student Transportation of America in the amount of $1,137,580 from the MSRC for CNG school bus incentives under the MSRC FY 2006-07 Work Program for the cost differential to purchase 23 CNG school buses to be used in the South Coast Air District.  In addition, this action will approve establishing first-come, first-served funding for additional private providers for the remaining $862,420 in this work program category to incentivize CNG school bus awards.

Benefits to AQMD

This project will reduce exhaust emissions from higher emitting diesel school buses and exposure of toxic diesel particulate matter to school children and others that work in or near diesel-powered school buses.  In addition, this project will further facilitate the implementation of Rule 1195.

Resource Impacts

The total amount of MSRC funding for Student Transportation of America shall not exceed $1,137,580.  Subsequent to Board approval of funding award, a remaining balance of $862,420 will be available to other private school bus transportation service providers on a first-come, first-served basis.