Broward School Buses Go Electric

Broward County Public Schools (BCPS) will be the first public school District in South Florida to put electric buses on the road, helping lower carbon emissions as it transports 54,000 students throughout the county every school day. The District showcased the new electric buses last month at the district’s transportation terminal in Pompano Beach.

The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) awarded the District a grant of more than $14.8 million to purchase 60 zero-emission electric buses that make up the electric bus fleet. The new buses will serve as replacements for older diesel school buses built in or before 2009. To complete the needed infrastructure, Florida Power & Light Company obtained a federal grant and partnered with the BCPS to install charging stations at each of the District’s transportation terminals.

“When these electric buses hit Broward County roads in the 2023/24 school year, our District will be operating the largest fleet of electric buses in the state and, most significantly, taking an important step toward providing a healthier environment for all of us,” said BCPS Interim Superintendent Dr. Earlean Smiley. “This great accomplishment would not have been possible without the support of the Florida Department of Environmental Protection and Florida Power & Light Company.”

“As part of FPL EVolution, we are pleased to partner on this endeavor and provide fast-charging infrastructure at six bus depots for all 60 of the electric buses to power up and be ready to pick up students,” said FPL Vice President of Development for Tim Oliver. “These are the first electric school buses in FPL’s service area and represent the future of transportation that helps to make our communities more sustainable for generations to come. These buses will be charged by one of the cleanest electric grids in the country.”

The District’s Student Transportation and Fleet Services Department includes more than 1,200 buses, with about 950 used to transport students during daily routes. Each electric bus is a standard 72-passenger vehicle that produces no emissions at the tailpipe and is quiet on the road.

Fort Lauderdale is known as the "Yachting Capital of the World" and is home to one of the largest and most important boating and marine industries in the United States. The presence of extensive waterways, including the Atlantic Ocean, Intracoastal Waterway, and numerous canals, makes Fort Lauderdale an ideal location for marine-related activities. The city's favorable climate, beautiful coastline, and access to international markets contribute to its prominence in the global marine trade.

The extensive infrastructure to support pleasure boats and yachts of all sizes makes our home an ideal place for all manners of marine-oriented businesses. Fort Lauderdale is also home to the world’s third-largest cruise port. Port Everglades will likely soon be the largest cruise port with the addition of Disney Cruise lines, and after current renovations are completed.

According to data from the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), approximately 80% of global trade by volume and 70% by value is transported by sea.

Ocean transportation is a vital component of the global economy, enabling the movement of goods and resources across vast distances. Large cargo vessels, including container ships, bulk carriers, and oil tankers, are responsible for transporting goods such as manufactured products, raw materials, commodities, and energy resources between countries and continents.

The maritime industry plays a crucial role in facilitating international trade, connecting producers with consumers and facilitating the exchange of goods on a global scale. Major shipping routes, such as those connecting Asia, Europe, and North America, see substantial volumes of goods transported daily.

In 2020, the United States marine economy made up $361.4 billion of the GDP, with coastal and offshore tourism and recreation being the largest contributor. The global value of the blue economy is projected to reach $3 trillion by 2030.

In Greater Fort Lauderdale, the blue economy is integral to our economy and prosperity, as we heavily rely on coastal and ocean-related resources to support employment, businesses, and tourism. Our marine industry consists of worldclass shipyards, marinas, manufacturing, and various marine services, creating over 142,000 regional jobs, with 111,000 in Broward County alone.

▸ To learn more about Maritime visit www.careersourcebroward.com/marine or scan the QR code to learn more about marine industry opportunities..