Coachella City Council approves purchase of new bus
COACHELLA, Calif. (KESQ) — The Coachella City Council unanimously approved the purchase of a new bus during a special meeting on Wednesday.
The city will purchase a 24-passenger bus with two wheelchair spaces that runs on ultra-low-emission diesel for $212,963.04.
City officials said the bus is expected to arrive in 4 to 6 months as the city is purchasing a brand new bus.
The city’s current fleet consists of four vehicles:
2008 Chevrolet Kodiak 5500 bus with 114,417 miles. Runs on diesel fuel and seats 22-plus passengers with space for one wheelchair passenger. 2016 Ford E-450 with 311,916 miles. Runs on compressed natural gas (CNG) and seats 12-plus passengers with space for one wheelchair passenger. 2016 Ford E-450 with 321,742 miles. Runs on CNG and seats 12 passengers with space for one wheelchair passenger. 2023 Ford Transit van with fewer than 3,000 miles. Fueled by gasoline and seats 10 passengers. Mileage is low due to low usage.The city specifically needed to change its 2008 Chevrolet Kodiak 5500, which is used at the senior center, officials say. Problems like poor air conditioning have clouded the perspective of the bus, making conditions potentially dangerous during these hot summer months.
Coachella Mayor Dr. Frank Figueroa told News Channel 3 this change is crucial – and he is doing what he can to move it forward as quickly as possible.
“At this point, I’m going to make a motion to purchase this bus from the city’s reserves,” Figueroa said. “I have no patience to continue to give inadequate service to people who dedicated their whole lives to providing to the city.”
This issue has been brought to his attention by multiple residents in the past, and now they see eye to eye on the issue.
“When no AC, it gets 120 degrees. So I can’t imagine them being in the bus for like, an hour. It’s a dangerous thing,” Coachella resident and senior center member Alicia Valladolid said.
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