The La Joya Independent School District spent nearly $2.8 million on 18 new school buses to upgrade its student transportation fleet.

The purchase includes 12 new 77-passenger buses and six new 51-passenger buses built for students with special needs. The total cost was $2,794,600.

The six special-needs buses feature wheelchair accommodations, wheelchair lifts and dedicated storage compartments. They will also include safety and monitoring features.

The 12 larger buses will be used for daily transportation routes. They are equipped with three-point passenger seat belts, security camera systems, backup cameras, air conditioning and vehicle monitoring systems.

The district selected Thomas Bus Gulf Coast GP, Inc. through the BuyBoard Purchasing Cooperative process.

La Joya ISD said the investment aligns with Priority 5 of its Achieving Excellence Together 2030 strategic plan, which focuses on strengthening operations and using resources responsibly.