Phoenix schools to buy buses with $1.8M Volkswagen settlement cash
Jan 4, 2019, 12:25 PM
(Pexels photo)
(Pexels photo)
PHOENIX — Five school districts and one charter school in Phoenix will be given $1.8 million in state funding from a Volkswagen settlement to purchase new buses, it was announced Friday.
Phoenix Union High School, Roosevelt Elementary, Glendale Elementary, Fowler Elementary, Bell Canyon Charter School and Balsz Elementary will use a the cash to buy 16 diesel and alternative fuel buses.
The districts will join 17 other districts across the state that were awarded $8.4 million total to buy 76 buses.
It is part of the latest distribution of money from the settlement over the company modifying vehicles to cheat on emissions tests and deceiving customers.
“Investing in K-12 education remains a top priority,” Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey said in a statement.
“By funding the purchase of new buses, these funds will free up additional resources schools can put toward other important needs.”
Volkswagen settled a federal lawsuit over an emissions cheating scandal two years ago. Arizona was awarded $57 million.
The state earmarked $38 million to purchase an estimated 280 school buses under the Arizona Lower-Emissions School Bus Program.
Ducey awarded nearly $16 million in December to more than 50 districts to purchase 142 diesel or alternative fuel buses.
The state has so far approved 77 applications to use $24.4 million to purchase 218 buses. A third wave of awards will be announced.
Public schools with a bus that is more than 15 years old and has more than 100,000 miles on it were eligible for a replacement.
The rest of the money from the settlement will be used for wildland fire crews and Department of Transportation equipment.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
