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WHEELING -- While Monongalia County Schools is preparing for the delivery of two new electric buses, Ohio County Schools is staying away from the buzz and not considering a purchase right now.
About a year ago, both school systems were part of a pilot project to test the "battery electric alternative school transportation," also known as "The BEAST." The BEASTs are a West Virginia-made product produced by GreenPower Co. in South Charleston.
Monongalia County Schools has announced it has purchased two of the smaller 24-passenger versions of The BEAST to transport special needs children and students with no permanent address, and will use federal funds for the purchase. The smaller buses reportedly cost about $285,000 each.
But Ohio County Schools hasn't expressed much interest in acquiring electric buses since testing them a year ago.
"We haven't had too much more conversation about it," said Assistant Superintendent Rick Jone. "At this time, we're not interested. That's not to say we might not be in the future. It's just not number one on our list right now."
Ohio County Schools has been selected to participate in the pilot testing of The BEAST late last year largely because of the area's hilly terrain and colder weather. The larger 40-passenger bus was tested.
The electric bus requires more power going uphill, and when either air conditioning or heat is being used. Following a morning run, they had to be recharged for the afternoon pickup of students. Charging stations for the buses would need to be constructed at the transportation garage.
GreenPower brought its charger along last year when it transported The BEAST to Wheeling from South Charleston by trailer.
The vehicle is constructed of an all-Constellian aluminum body.