MOPERC provides rebate money for autogas school buses

The Missouri Propane Education and Research Council (MOPERC) presented Student Transportation of America (STA) $20,000 for its acquisition of new propane school buses for use throughout the Kansas City Public Schools (KCPS) district.

From left are Todd Mouw, Roush CleanTech; Jenna Van Harpen, Blue Bird; Doug Gallagher, STA; Steve Ahrens, MOPERC; and Cliff Canton, Central States. Photo courtesy of MOPERC

The rebate presented to STA is part of MOPERC’s Clean Bus Replacement Plan, which has committed $1 million to help Missouri school districts transition from diesel to propane buses. MOPERC says the plan offers rebates of $2,000 per propane bus, up to 10 per district or contractor, at the time of delivery.

“MOPERC’s Clean Bus Replacement Plan can benefit dozens of school districts and communities throughout the state regardless of location,” says Steve Ahrens, president and CEO of MOPERC. “We’re offering these rebates to leverage funding to school districts and bus contractors who adopt propane buses, either through Volkswagen Environmental Mitigation Trust funds or on their own. For the current fiscal year, we’ve reserved 27 propane bus rebates under the MOPERC plan.”

KCPS contracted with STA to acquire the Blue Bird Type C propane buses, MOPERC explains.

“By helping STA lower its acquisition cost of these propane school buses, the school bus contractor can then help KCPS lower its operating costs with lower fuel and maintenance costs,” Ahrens says.

The school district expects to save about $500,000 annually in fuel costs and another $55,000 each year in maintenance costs.

“STA has made a significant investment in adopting propane school buses for KCPS and other school districts across the country,” says Ryan Zic, vice president of school bus sales at Roush CleanTech. “And, it’s state and federal funds, like MOPERC’s and Volkswagen’s [Environmental Mitigation Trust], that create further opportunity to acquire this clean-operating technology.”