| | Published August 28th, 2024
| Lafayette to sponsor Lamorinda School Bus Program
| | | By Elaine Borden Chandler | | |
Created in 1994 to reduce traffic, the Lamorinda School Bus Program (LSBP) provides transportation for elementary and intermediate schools in the Lafayette, Moraga, Orinda Union, and Acalanes Union school district and at present serves 1100 students annually. The program is a joint powers authority (JPA) - a stand-alone organization created by public authorities, such as cities, to work together on a project that crosses their boundaries. The LSBP does not receive funding from any of the cities. Instead, it has been funded by Measure J and by bus pass revenue since its start.
Recently the LSBP applied to the Contra Costa Transit Authority (CCTA) for funding from the Transportation Fund for Clean Air (TFCA). The LBSP received pre-approval for $85,763.31 of funding from CCTA. However, as a JPA it needed a sponsor, such as a city, in order to receive the funds. Because the LSBP has been housed under the City of Lafayette since its inception, Lafayette was chosen. On July 22, the Lafayette City Council voted for the city to act as Project Sponsor for the LSBP's application.
The main reason that the LSBP has applied for this grant was so that it can continue to provide the same amount of service, 19 buses going to 10 different schools. The LSBP's budget comes 60% from Measure J and 40% from pass sales. This just covers the program's costs. At the April 24 meeting, the Lamorinda School Bus Agency noted, "Identifying additional funding for the [LSBP] program is essential."
The LSBP hopes that the grant funding will also allow them to begin using alternative fuel school buses. According the Department of Energy, most buses in the United States are diesel fueled and the fastest growing alternative is hybrid. The EPA states that the most environmental option is electric buses, which have zero tailpipe pollution, reduce greenhouse gas emission, make less noise pollution, have less maintenance cost, and can provide power to the grid during shutdowns.
The LSBP contracts out to school bus companies that provide the buses and drivers for the program. Their current contract with First Student Inc. is ending soon and they are now accepting bids for a new contract, which will determine their options regarding alternative fuel buses.
The funding that LSBP is applying for now is from the TFCA, which itself receives funds from the Bay Area Air Quality Management District collecting a fee of approximately $4 per vehicle per year to reduce vehicle air pollution. 40% of TFCA funds are allocated to the designated county agencies, such as the CCTA, who then in turn chose which programs to grant funds. The LSBP was able to apply for these funds for the first time because CCTA approved a TFCA 40% Fund Policy on April 4, changing which projects count as eligible, which now includes the LSBP. With the sponsorship of Lafayette, the LSBP will receive its grant in 2025 and be able to move forward with its plans. |
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Lamorinda Weekly, Moraga CA