By Jerry Filmore
Worcester Public Schools will begin using 20 new electric school buses the week of March 2. The addition of these vehicles is part of an ongoing effort to reduce carbon emissions and aligns with the City of Worcester’s broader Green Worcester Plan.
The new vehicles are built by IC Bus, a subsidiary of International Motors. To students and residents, the buses will look nearly identical to traditional yellow school buses, but they operate with less engine noise.
The district owns and operates a total of 136 full-size buses, a fleet that now includes these 20 electric models. The district also operates 115 mid-size buses and 40 vans. Worcester Public Schools transitioned away from using third-party transportation companies four years ago to manage its fleet directly.
According to Superintendent Brian E. Allen, the addition of electric vehicles is a commitment to reducing the district’s carbon footprint. Mike Freeman, the district’s Administrative Director of Operations, noted that drivers are eager to operate the new buses and support the district’s environmental practices.
The buses and their required charging stations, located at the district bus depot, were funded through grants from the Federal Environmental Protection Agency and the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center. The exact amount of the grant funding is pending official confirmation. District officials estimate that the annual maintenance cost of an electric bus is between 40 and 60 percent less than that of a gasoline-powered bus.
A fully charged bus can travel approximately 120 miles in optimal weather conditions. Because standard morning and afternoon routes total about 40 miles, the buses will be recharged after each shift. The vehicles also feature regenerative braking systems that help recharge the battery while the bus is in motion.
District transportation staff, along with members of the Worcester Fire Department and Worcester Police Department, completed safety training for the new vehicles during the February school vacation week. Drivers are currently testing the electric buses on city roads without students on board to prepare for the official launch.
🔍 The W.U.W. Verification Box
Project / Topic: Worcester Public Schools Electric Bus Rollout
Current Status: Road testing underway without students
Key Dates or Decisions: Deployment begins the week of March 2, 2026
Estimated Cost (if applicable): Acquired via state and federal grants; exact total cost not yet determined Timeline (if known): Ongoing daily operations starting March 2026
Immediate Next Steps: Finalizing road tests before student boarding
Primary Sources: Worcester Public Schools official announcement; statements from Superintendent Brian E. Allen and Administrative Director of Operations Mike Freeman
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