PERC promotes propane autogas to transit agencies at APTA conference

October 6, 2026 By Mason Kopy 0 Comments

The Propane Education & Research Council (PERC) is promoting propane autogas as a lower-cost fuel option for transit and paratransit fleets this week at the American Public Transportation Association’s TRANSform & EXPO, which runs Oct. 4-7 at McCormick Place in Chicago.

PERC says agencies facing volatile gasoline prices, tight budgets and the infrastructure costs and delays tied to electric and conventional fuels are turning to propane autogas. The council says domestic supply keeps propane autogas prices lower and more stable than gasoline and diesel, and that agencies can lock in multiyear fuel contracts.

PERC also says on-site propane fueling infrastructure costs less and can be installed faster than conventional fuel or electric systems, often at little or no cost to operators. Since the Environmental Protection Agency classifies propane as a non-contaminant, the council says, stations are simpler to site and existing maintenance facilities rarely need upgrades. It added that fleets can refuel in minutes without charging delays or grid constraints, and that near-zero-emissions propane autogas engines reduce nitrogen oxides and greenhouse gases.

“Transit agencies prioritize reliable, accessible service above all else,” says Joel Stutheit, senior manager of autogas business development at PERC. “Whether supporting paratransit or demand-response services, propane autogas delivers dependable daily performance, fast refueling, and budget control without grid constraints.”

PERC cited three agencies as examples. It says Kitsap Transit in Washington saves more than $600,000 annually across more than 70 paratransit shuttles as it moves its paratransit fleet to 100 percent renewable propane autogas. Allegan County Transportation in Michigan saves $10,000 monthly on refueling while meeting a 60 percent surge in demand and expanding rural service, according to the council. Broward County Transportation Department in Florida has saved more than $13 million in fuel costs since adopting propane autogas in 2015, paying $1.45 per gallon compared with a local gasoline average of more than $4, says PERC.

Dennis Griffey, vehicle and facilities maintenance director at Kitsap Transit, says price stability has helped the agency plan its budget. “At a time when gasoline and diesel prices have gone $1.50 per gallon over budget, propane autogas has only gone above baseline by 25 cents,” says Griffey. “That level of price stability gives us greater budget certainty and ensures we can keep routes running for the people who rely on them most.”

More information is available at propane.com/paratransit.

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