ORANGEBURG COUNTY, S.C. — Orangeburg County School District bus drivers are currently being trained to be able to drive the all-new electric school buses.
Drivers are taking part in a two-day course, which includes a simulator to highlight the new safety features the buses are equipped with.
David Brown is a bus driver with Orangeburg County School District. He says he is proud to be among the first in the state to drive an electric school bus.
“These buses are very safe. I was very skeptical at first because they’re all electric, but, you know, this is a trial and error and so I’m glad to be one of the first ones to actually, in the state of South Carolina, to drive one to see what it’s like.”
Brown says these new safety features make a difference.
“There are certain features that the regular buses don’t have that these have, as far as if you get to close to a car, your seat will vibrate,” said Brown. “Or it has the speedometer that shows you the speed posted on the dashboard so it gives you indication of how fast you’re going.”
Shauntell Spigner has three kids who ride to school on buses, and she says she is excited for them to be able to ride in electric school buses.
“Who wouldn’t want their kids to be safe,” Spigner asked. “Who wouldn’t want something better for their child, especially if it’s healthier. Like nobody want their children getting sick just breathing in all those fumes, so who wouldn’t.”
The new electric buses also have more lights to warn drivers when the bus is going to stop.
Jonathan Harley is transportation supervisor for the central area. He says the those lights are especially important in the mornings.
“Very important especially in mornings when children are waiting at bus stops,” said Harley. “We’re doing routes and pickups at least six o’clock in the mornings sometimes, so it’s also important that we are seen for when we make those bus stops.”
The school district plans to have all twenty bus drivers trained by the end of April.