Missouri school district adds new propane school buses

Missouri’s Lewis County C-1 School District purchased four propane-fueled school buses using grant funds and rebates. Photo courtesy of Lewis County C-1 School District

Lewis County C-1 School District in northeast Missouri added four propane autogas school buses to its fleet.

The district purchased 2022 IC Bus propane buses, which operate on regular routes that span 410 square miles and five counties.

“Anything we can do to provide a cleaner environment and less pollution being breathed in by our students is something I believe strongly in striving to accomplish,” says John French, superintendent of Lewis County C-1 School District. “We believe the savings gained from our alternative-fueled propane school buses will eventually lead to more money going into the classroom, which will, in turn, reduce the local tax burden.”

French says the district received Volkswagen Environmental Mitigation Trust grant funds totaling $20,000 per bus for two of the propane buses, and $37,500 per bus for the other two.

Additionally, the district received a $2,000 rebate per bus through the Missouri Propane Education & Research Council. The council has pledged $1 million to help school districts transition from diesel buses to propane models.

French says the district currently operates 18 diesel buses, paying about $2.25 per gallon, compared with propane at $1.55 per gallon.

“With propane school buses, Lewis County has taken an important step to safeguard the health of its students, staff and community,” says Steve Ahrens, president of the Missouri Propane Education & Research Council. “It’s important to note that the district will achieve reduced emissions while also significantly lowering its fuel and maintenance costs. We’ve seen this when districts adopt propane fleets that replace diesel buses – transportation funding is freed up for education funding. That helps taxpayers breathe a little easier, too.”