Columbia, SC (WLTX) New xchool buses are on the way to several school districts including Lexington 1 and Newberry.
"Really excited to find out this week we've been awarded a little over $600,000 to replace about 31 of our old aging school buses" says Ryan Brown chief communications officer for the South Carolina Department of Education. .
Brown, says the state operates about 5600 school buses with most vehicles dating back to 1988, 1995 or 1996 so it was time for something new.
Brown says, "the buses that will be replacing those are brand new, off the lot equipped with air conditioning, GPS and all of the state of the are safety features and emission's equipment."
According to the Department of Education, the new buses will reduce pollutants that are linked to health problems such as asthma and lung damage.
"It would be great if we could get them by the end of the school year but more than likely use of the summer months as needed and definitely next school year" says the Chief.
Lexington one will receive three of the new buses and Newberry County will get five.