Citizens' Coalition for Change Statement on Compton Unified School District’s Electric Bus Purchase

The Citizens' Coalition for Change is deeply concerned by the recent decision of the Compton Unified School District (CUSD) to spend upwards of $25 million on a fleet of mid-size electric school buses—an expenditure that raises serious questions about fiscal responsibility, community priorities, and long-term planning.

At a time when Compton faces pressing challenges—from underfunded infrastructure and public safety to urgent educational needs—this significant outlay on limited-range, lower-capacity electric buses appears not only short-sighted, but financially reckless.

For context: $25 million could have purchased approximately 200 full-size, high-tech, low-emission diesel buses, each equipped with modern GPS, advanced safety features, and compliant with today’s strict EPA standards. These full-size buses offer longer operational lifespans, greater route flexibility, and a significantly lower total cost of ownership—making them the more practical and efficient choice for our district’s needs.

Instead, CUSD has opted for smaller electric units that appear to deliver limited returns on investment. Many in the community view this as a politically motivated move—driven more by trendy environmental optics and incentive-chasing than by sound transportation strategy. What’s more troubling is the growing perception that these decisions are made behind closed doors, benefiting a narrow circle of manufacturers, consultants, and politically connected vendors, while delivering no clear advantage to the students or families they’re meant to serve.

This decision has sparked broad public concern. Residents are voicing frustration over the lack of transparency, the absence of a detailed cost-benefit analysis, and fears that this will set a precedent for future purchases based on political symbolism over practical impact—especially when our city operates under severe financial constraints.

Let us be clear: We are not opposed to innovation, nor are we dismissive of environmental progress. But sustainability must be pursued with fiscal accountability, strategic foresight, and an unwavering focus on the real needs of our students and community.

CUSD’s choice to spend $1 million per electric bus—when proven diesel alternatives are available at a fraction of the cost—demands scrutiny. We call on the district to engage financial experts, transportation professionals, and—most importantly—the public in any future decisions of this magnitude.

To be fair, we acknowledge that funding for this electric bus purchase likely came, in part, from federal sources—namely, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) and the EPA’s Clean School Bus Program. These initiatives aim to accelerate sustainability in school transportation through grants and subsidies. However, the way these programs are administered often incentivizes rushed decisions. Local agencies are frequently pressured to act quickly to secure funds, with minimal requirement for community consultation, cost analysis, or planning for long-term maintenance and operational costs.

Let us not forget: federal money is still taxpayer money. Whether it comes from Washington or Compton’s general fund, every dollar spent carries an opportunity cost. When federal grants are used irresponsibly, they contribute more to vendor profits and political posturing than to meaningful improvements in underserved communities like ours.

We bring this issue to light not to insult or embarrass local leadership—but to insist on transparency, diligence, and accountability. When tens of millions in taxpayer dollars are allocated to what appears to be a symbolic purchase with marginal practical impact, the public has every right—and every duty—to ask: Who benefits, and who pays the price?

These recent bus purchases signal a disturbing trend: one where public funds are steered toward politically fashionable, yet operationally ineffective projects, enriching lobbyists and manufacturers while ignoring the daily realities of students and families in Compton.

We are not here to call anyone names. But when a decision of this scale is made without rigorous analysis or community input, it becomes difficult for the public to distinguish between poor judgment and willful neglect. At worst, such high-dollar transactions raise concerns of influence-peddling, favoritism, or even corruption.

Our children deserve safe, reliable transportation. Our residents deserve responsible spending. And our city deserves leadership that makes decisions based on what works—not what wins headlines.

We therefore call on CUSD and all public officials in our region to:

• Conduct rigorous cost-benefit analysis before major expenditures

• Prioritize transparent vendor selection and competitive bidding processes

• Mandate public engagement for any initiative involving millions in taxpayer funds

• Focus spending on needs-driven solutions, not political symbolism

The Citizens' Coalition for Change will continue to serve as a watchdog for economic sanity, community-centered investments, and ethical governance. Compton cannot afford to be anyone’s political experiment—or anyone’s piggy bank.

Compton deserves better.

— Citizens' Coalition for Change

May 2025

The Citizens' Coalition strongly opposes fiscal irresponsibility, and misplaced priorities. More efficient full-size diesel buses could have been purchased at a fraction of the cost. Compton deserves smart, needs-based spending—not politically driven experiments.

Now lets look into a few key issues

Please note that ChatGPT (AI) has assisted us in giving detailed answers to our questions based on all publicly available data and research: The answers are concerning!

First Things First: Environmental Impact Comparison and Air Quality Context

Here is a realistic, data-informed comparison between mid-size electric buses and full-size low-emission diesel buses, along with a broader view of Compton’s air quality issues and the relative impact of school buses:

Environmental Impact Comparison and Air Quality Context

In assessing the environmental benefits of replacing diesel school buses with electric ones, it is important to consider the actual scale of impact within the broader context of Compton’s air quality challenges.

🔄 Diesel vs. Electric Buses (25-unit comparison)

Assuming identical daily mileage, here’s a rough comparison of 25 buses of each type over a year:

• Mid-Size Electric Buses (25 units):

  • Tailpipe emissions: Zero

  • Net emissions: Not zero—electricity production (largely natural gas-powered in Southern California) still generates upstream emissions.

  • Annual net CO₂ savings vs diesel: Approx. 400–500 metric tons combined.

  • Other pollutants (NOₓ, PM): Significantly reduced locally; potentially displaced to power plants elsewhere.

  
  

• Full-Size, Ultra-Low Emission Diesel Buses (25 units):

  • Equipped with Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) and Diesel Particulate Filters (DPFs).

  • Emit 70–90% less NOₓ and particulate matter compared to older diesel models.

  • Estimated annual emissions:

    • CO₂: ~20–25 metric tons per bus

    • NOₓ: ~0.2–0.3 tons per bus

    • PM: ~0.01–0.03 tons per bus

👉 Conclusion: While electric buses eliminate local tailpipe emissions, the net air quality benefit of replacing 25 diesel buses is modest.

📉 Second Question: Contribution of School Buses to Compton’s Air Pollution

Based on California Air Resources Board (CARB) and EPA data:

• School buses contribute less than 1% to overall emissions in Compton.

• In contrast, major contributors to poor air quality in the Compton region include:

  
  

  • Freeway traffic (I-710, I-105, I-110): ~35–40% of regional transportation emissions

  • Heavy-duty trucking from nearby ports and warehousing centers: ~20–25%

  • Industrial facilities (refineries, manufacturing, logistics hubs): ~15–20%

  • Energy production and off-road construction equipment: ~10%

  • Residential wood burning and other sources: ~5%

🚍 School buses, even if all diesel, are a tiny fraction of overall pollution in Compton.

👉 Conclusion: Replacing 25 buses with electric ones offers symbolic rather than transformative environmental benefit in the context of the region’s air quality profile.

Third Question: Cost of a Full-size, High-tech Diesel School Bus

The cost of a brand new full-size, high-tech diesel school bus in 2025 falls within the following range:

💰 Estimated Price Range

• $120,000 to $160,000 per bus

🚍 Factors That Influence the Cost:

1. Size and Capacity: A full-size bus (typically 66–90 passengers) will cost more than a mid-size.

2. Technology Features:

   • GPS tracking

   • Wi-Fi connectivity

   • Collision avoidance systems

   • Automatic braking

   • On-board diagnostics

   • Camera systems

3. Emissions Technology:

   • Modern diesel buses meet stringent EPA standards.

   • New models come equipped with diesel particulate filters (DPFs) and selective catalytic reduction (SCR) systems.

4. Brand and Manufacturer: Blue Bird, Thomas Built Buses, and IC Bus all offer different pricing depending on configuration and tech level.

5. Optional Features:

   • Air conditioning

   • Wheelchair lifts

   • Custom seating or flooring

   
   

👉 Conclusion: $25 million could have purchased approximately 200 full-size, high-tech, low-emission diesel buses, each equipped with modern GPS, advanced safety features, and compliant with today’s strict EPA standards.

Final Thought

If the goal is to truly improve Compton’s air quality, policymakers must focus efforts on:

• Reducing heavy-duty freight emissions

• Improving freeway traffic flow and vehicle electrification at scale

• Mitigating industrial pollution

• Investing in city-wide energy efficiency and green infrastructure

Replacing school buses is not a silver bullet, and allocating $25 million toward marginal air quality gains should be carefully weighed against alternative investments with greater environmental and community impact.

⚠️ Note:

• While diesel remains a common option, school districts are increasingly pressured or incentivized to transition to electric or low-emission alternatives.

• Incentive programs (like EPA's Clean School Bus Program) do not usually apply to new diesel buses.