Pennsylvania school district shifting bus fleet to propane autogas

The Bradford Area School District, based in Bradford, Pa., has deployed eight propane autogas-powered school buses in its 34-unit fleet, with plans to phase out its older models over the next 12 years.

The school district purchased its propane buses from Blue Bird, and it received a $5,000 government rebate on the initial cost of each bus. Richgas, based in Kane, Pa., supplies the school district with propane.

According to the Bradford Era newspaper, the school district is in its fourth year of deploying autogas buses to its fleet.

Barry Bryan, the school district’s director of transportation, says he anticipates replacing two of its old diesel buses per year with a Blue Bird propane-fueled bus.

The school district’s propane-fueled buses hold as many as 72 students each. Bryan adds that the school uses the propane-fueled buses for the longest commutes, such as field trips.