Quincy buys new buses before standards change

QUINCY — The Quincy School District is spending $300,000 on four new buses this year before new emissions standards cause prices to go up.

The emissions standards limit the amount of particles from diesel fuel released from heavy-duty diesel vehicles starting in 2007. Because the engines cost more, District Superintendent Roger Fox estimated each bus after 2007 could cost $15,000 more.

"It will save the district a lot of money over time," Fox said of the new buses. Typically, the district tries to purchase about two buses per year.

The state will pay back the $300,000 over time to the district in increments of $5,000 per bus. For now, the district is borrowing money from its voter-approved bond.

Moses Lake School District Transportation Director John Eschenbacher said the transportation department decided not to buy extra vehicles because it realized the district's budget was tight, it didn't want to use more of the levy than needed and it wanted to wait until manufacturers could work out the bugs in the newer vehicles.

"We need to have it done," Eschenbacher said, adding the district wants to make sure the vehicles run well. The numbers he received placed the cost of new vehicles at $5,000 to $10,000 more.

"The cost is gonna make a big jump," he said.

— Staff report