NBISD approves $1.55M purchase of school buses before potential price increase

The purchase includes seven 77-passenger buses for general education routes for $1.13 million, two 54-passenger special needs buses for $318,410 and one 14-passenger special needs bus at $110,985, board documents state.

Why now?

District administration is expediting the purchase in response to projected price increases anticipated to take effect in January 2027 as a result of more stringent federal emissions standards, Flores said.

Bus prices are expected to rise between $22,000-$25,000 per unit under new Texas state emissions standards. By advancing the purchase now, the district hopes to maximize bond funding, manage future cost increases and protect long-term transportation resources, NBISD Director of Transportation Cesar Flores said.

Previously, a $783,371 purchase in November 2025 also included two 77-passenger buses for general route use and three 54-passenger buses to be used for special needs routes, outfitted with wheelchair lifts and tracks with anchorage for three wheelchairs each, as previously reported by Community Impact.

Purchases are typically brought for approval within a month of the proposal, and the buses would be in use on routes between 90 and 120 days of receiving the purchase order, according to the district.