FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Media Contact:
Marisa Berumen, 619-847-6029, mberumen@sandi.net
SAN DIEGO UNIFIED'S BUS FLEET IS READY TO SERVE STUDENTS FOR 2025-26 SCHOOL YEAR
Student Safety Prioritized Year-Round with Maintenance Schedule & Driver Training
District Expected to Triple Fleet of Electric Buses from 13 to 43 by 2026-27 School Year
SAN DIEGO (JULY 16, 2025) – With a new school year just weeks away, San Diego Unified School District is ramping up final preparations to get its transportation fleet ready to transport thousands of students daily to and from school as safely as possible.
"Nothing is more important than student safety, and San Diego Unified follows rigorous standards when it comes to all of our drivers," said Dr. Fabi Bagula, San Diego Unified Superintendent. "Additionally, bus drivers are often the first and last representatives from the District some of our students see, and many of our drivers form strong connections with our students, which helps provide a positive school-day experience."
During the school year, San Diego Unified's bus fleet transports over 5,000 students daily. Students served include Special Education, Dedicated Magnet, Magnet, and Voluntary Enrollment Exchange. Transportation eligibility guidelines can be found here.
More than 1,300 routes are run daily, including field trips, athletic events, and other extracurricular activities. In all, about 250 buses in a fleet of 426 travel a combined 42,000 miles - the equivalent of driving roundtrip from San Diego to New York City seven times each day.
Today, a mobile news conference aboard one of San Diego Unified's 13 electric school buses was hosted to highlight transportation initiatives for the District, which included giving media members a firsthand tour of a typical school bus route, and San Diego Unified's commitment to student safety, emission reduction and driver training.
Year-Round Bus Maintenance Schedule
Summer is the busiest time of year for fleet maintenance as San Diego Unified prepares ahead of the 2025-26 school year, with a team of 15 technicians responsible for keeping buses on the road, or knowing when to pull them off.
Bus maintenance is also a year-round effort and includes both daily and periodic inspections. Daily pre-trip safety inspections ensure that all critical systems from brakes to tire condition to lighting are functioning properly before the bus is cleared for operation.
Comprehensive inspections are performed every 3,000 miles or 45 days - whichever comes first. Typical maintenance can include engine and transmission assessments, oil changes, new brakes, or new tires.
While newer buses come standard with enhanced technological advancements, even older buses are retrofitted with advanced GPS tracking systems for real-time monitoring, upgraded video surveillance, onboard communication systems, and a Child Check System to let drivers know when the last passenger has exited the bus.
Electric Bus Fleet is Expanding
Through a grant, San Diego Unified is expected to add an additional 30 electric buses by the 2026-27 school year. Additional money provided by the State of California will also help bolster the fleet and related infrastructure in subsequent years. With every zero-emission bus that is added, a diesel powered bus is removed from service.
"Diesel-powered school buses produce significant emissions, including greenhouse gases and air pollutants harmful to human health, particularly children," said Cody Petterson, Board President. "Additionally, anything that can be done to slow the progression of climate change is something we should all be interested in pursuing."
By the year 2030, San Diego Unified may have 100 or more zero-emission buses in its fleet.
Bus Driver Training
"San Diego Unified provides comprehensive driver training for all bus drivers," said Gene Robinson, Director of Transportation and Distribution Services. "Drivers must obtain a commercial driver's license and a California Special Driver Certificate issued by the California Highway Patrol."
Driver training and preparation includes:
- At least 20 hours of classroom instruction
- At least 20 hours of behind-the-wheel training
- Passing a written test, first aid exam, and a practical driving test
- Undergoing a medical examination and obtaining a medical examiner's certificate
- Clearing a Department of Justice background check via Live Scan
- Passing drug and alcohol testing
- Maintaining a clean driving record and demonstrating strong safety awareness
To learn more about the District's transportation fleet and services, click here.
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Marisa Berumen
Communications Supervisor
mberumen@sandi.net | www.sandiegounified.org
Mobile Phone: 619 847-6029
4100 Normal Street, San Diego, CA 92103