The Ripon Unified School District will soon receive a fully electric bus.

Not too long ago, RUSD was approved for the Zero-Emission School Bus Replacement Incentive Program that provides monetary incentives to help school districts replace those existing diesel-powered buses.

Director of Maintenance & Operations Andy Strickland indicated at Monday’s school board meeting that, in terms of update, is “still in process.”

Included is the charging station that’s part of the infrastructure.

Strickland lauded his Transportation Supervisor Maria Munoz, who provided the Transportation Report at the monthly session.

She noted that RUSD that she’s one of four regular bus drivers, handling four routes – listed as ‘A,’ ‘B,’ ‘C,’ and ‘D.’

Munoz has the most experience on the Bus Driver Team with 18 years.

RUSD Transportation currently had three van drivers, with two – both custodians – in training to become van drivers.

According to Munoz, RUSD transports 520 students daily, with the drivers (both bus and van) logging in 114,802 miles annually.

She added that RUSD has transported students as much as 323 field trips in one year.

Her report was done in collaboration with National Bus Safety Week (Oct. 21 through Oct. 25), which consists of bus evacuation exercises for students.

Added Strickland: “Safety is always the issue.”