New York Bus Sales President Sean Finnerty with Paul Gister/National Grid/Gen Co. Regional Manager cutting the ribbon on Friday morning
Facility intended to help school districts meet state legislation to convert school bus fleets into
all-electric by 2035
Press release
BATAVIA, NY – New York Bus Sales welcomed over 150 people to officially open its doors on a
newly constructed $6 million mixed-use 20,000 sq. ft. facility today in the town of Batavia. The
facility is intended to support school districts and bus operators across Genesee County and the
Western New York and Finger Lakes regions to convert their fleets from diesel fuel to all electric as required by legislation in the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act
(CLCPA) by 2035.
Video clip from interview with Sean Finnerty/President of New York Bus Sales
Based in Chittenango, New York Bus Sales is the largest Blue Bird school bus dealer in the state.
The Batavia facility will service customers, including school districts to help transition their bus
fleets from diesel fuel engines to all-electric bus fleets. New York Bus Sales has full-service
maintenance facilities in Syracuse and Albany, New York.
“Our new location in Genesee County allows us to serve the Western New York and Finger
Lakes school districts as we work together with New York State to deliver clean energy solutions
to local students and families,” said John Johnston, Operations Manager of New York Bus Sales.
New York Bus Sales worked with the Genesee County Economic Development Center to find a
strategic location that fit their facility requirements on Saile Drive in Batavia and approved
financial assistance at a Board of Directors meeting in December 2021.
“This project builds on the green business economy being built at STAMP, the Pembroke
Industrial Corridor, the many community solar projects across the county, and other renewable
and clean energy projects in the economic development pipeline,” said Steve Hyde, President
and CEO of the GCEDC.
National Grid assisted in the installation of charging stations and technology as part of the
company’s Electric Vehicle (EV) Make-Ready Program. This program provides funding for up to
100% of the electric infrastructure costs for approved projects.
“Our Make-Ready Program provides a range of technical assistance and funding for electric
vehicle charging projects across our upstate New York service territory,” said National Grid
Regional Director Ken Kujawa. “Working with New York Bus Sales is a great example of a
company making a commitment toward innovation and sustainability while reducing
greenhouse gas emissions while supporting New York State’s climate emission mandates.”
The new facility will create 24 new jobs in Genesee County. New York Bus Sales is seeking
candidates for service and automotive tech roles and will have the opportunity to hire from the
skilled and educated workforce pool from Genesee County and surrounding regions, including
students participating in the Genesee Valley BOCES Deisel Tech Cohort program.
“Whether you are a recent Diesel Tech BOCES graduate or an experienced technician from
another industry, we have good-paying positions available and can provide career pathways
through certification programs and other training,” Johnson added. “We look forward to
working with employment and workforce training organizations across the region to fill these
career-sustaining jobs.”
During the Grand Opening event on Friday, employees at the Batavia location were recognized
