ATHENS CITY SCHOOLS IS FIRST SCHOOL SYSTEM IN STATE OF TENNESSEE TO
RECEIVE THOMAS BUILT BUSES JOULEY ELECTRIC SCHOOL BUS DELIVERED UNDER EPA CLEAN SCHOOL BUS PROGRAM.
Today we celebrated with the presentation and ribbon cutting sponsored by Mid-South Bus Center Tennessee's largest school bus provider, and Thomas Built Buses,
the industry’s largest provider of all electric school buses, are pleased to announce Athens City Schools will be the first school system in the state of Tennessee to receive five (5) Thomas Built Buses SAF-T-LINER® C2 Jouley, the first Electric School Bus being delivered with the EPA Clean School Bus Program.
With funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, EPA’s Clean School Bus (CSB) Program provides
$5 billion over five years (FY 2022-2026) to replace existing school buses with zero-emission and low-emission models. Under the Program's first funding opportunity, the 2022 CSB Rebates, EPA solicited applications for zero-emission and low-emission school buses and awarded up to $965 million to fund
school bus replacements at nearly 400 schools.
“Athens City Schools stands as a pioneering force as they enter the electric bus business and are blazing a path for not only themselves, but for other school districts and operators in Tennessee and across the country.” said Steve Benefield, General Manager of Mid-South Bus Center. “Thank you to Athens CitySchools for your partnership as we move the needle in school transportation once again for a school
experience for our children and theirs.” We extend our gratitude to Athens City Schools for their partnership as we strive to enhance school transportation.
In contrast to current buses, the C2 Jouley is emissions-free at the tailpipe, noise pollution-free and fossil fuel-free, helping schools to save operating costs. With the popularity of electric vehicles on the rise, electric school buses will drive the transportation industry in a new direction – emission-free. Electricity
has the lowest and most stable operating cost of any propulsion source.
The SAF-T-LINER® C2 Jouley Electric School Bus includes the following features:
● Lowest and most stable operating cost of any vehicle
● Charges in two to three hours at a DC charging station
● Includes specialized battery packaging for increased safety
● Has up to 149-mile operating range
● Built with up to 246 kWh power
“We at Athens City Schools strive for the very best for our students, bus drivers, staff and community,”said Athens City Schools Director of Schools Joe Barnett “We are excited to be the first school system in Tennessee to receive Thomas EV buses under the Clean School Bus Program and know this will equip
and serve our school system as we drive into the future.”
The transition of almost 500,000 diesel-fueled school buses to electric school buses will decrease emissions, thus creating a more sustainable and eco-friendly form of transportation. Among all EV applications, school buses are the best suited for electrification because of:
● Low daily mileage
● Predictable, planned routes
● Health benefits for students and community
● Downtime between routes allowing for midday charging if needed
● Ability to provide power back to grid during peak times
“As Tennessee’s exclusive Thomas Built Bus dealer, Mid-South Bus Center is proud to spearhead the future with the introduction of 100 percent electric school buses,” said Benefield. “We have a long history
of leadership and innovation in school transportation. Our entire team is eager to introduce this transformative technology to schools across Tennessee and the Southeast.”
About Mid-South Bus Center Mid-South Bus Center (Murfreesboro, Tenn.) and its sister companies Transportation South, Inc.