Spokane Public Schools approves $32 million purchase of a new fleet of school buses

Spokane Public Schools is buying its own buses as it moves toward operating its own fleet.

The school board on Wednesday approved the purchase of 149 diesel buses for $32.4 million, paid for by the state Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction.

The district has had a contract with California-based Zūm services to bus some 4,800 kids to and from school since the 2023-2024 school year. That contract expires in 2028, costing the district $71.8 million. Since the 1970s, the district has contracted with an outside provider for school bus services.

“The district has for decades utilized a contract service provider for transportation for students to and from school, rationale being the most cost-efficient model for the school district to provide that service,” Superintendent Adam Sw