School District of Philadelphia adds propane buses

The School District of Philadelphia (SDP) added 38 propane-powered school buses to its fleet – a move celebrated by district officials, industry leaders and community members with a ribbon-cutting ceremony.

The initiative was made possible through a partnership between the school district, the Propane Education & Research Council, Ferrellgas, Roush CleanTech and Blue Bird Corp.
 
“We are excited to be leading the way here in Philadelphia as we grow our low-emission school bus fleet and create a healthier environment for our students, drivers and the community at large,” says Superintendent Tony B. Watlington Sr., who leads the eighth-largest school district in the nation, serving just under 200,000 students every day.

“We are pleased to work with our top partner organizations to bring our very first propane-powered bus fleet to fruition,” he adds. “Together, we continue to turn our compelling vision of clean student transportation into reality.”
 
The district’s propane-powered buses, developed by Blue Bird Corp. and powered by Roush CleanTech engines, are projected to reduce emissions significantly compared to their diesel counterparts.
 
“Congratulations to the School District of Philadelphia for its commitment to reducing emissions with cost-cutting propane school buses,” says Todd Mouw, executive vice president of sales and marketing for Roush CleanTech. “Propane autogas is an affordable, abundant American fuel that allows school districts to reduce their operating costs while helping to preserve the environment.”
 
According to Blue Bird Corp., school districts benefit from fuel and maintenance cost savings of up to $3,700 per bus annually compared with diesel buses. SDP’s propane-powered bus fleet could save the district more than $2.1 million over the 15-year life of its vehicles.
 
“We are thrilled to supply the School District of Philadelphia, one of the largest in the nation, with our ultra-low-emission propane school buses,” says Albert Burleigh, vice president of North America bus sales at Blue Bird Corp. “SDP already operates five Blue Bird electric, zero-emission school buses. Utilizing electric and propane-powered school buses, the school district combines the most technologically advanced clean school buses in its fleet, leading the way to creating sustainable student transportation.”
 
The district also has invested in new propane refueling infrastructure at the Shallcross School Bus Garage as part of a partnership with Ferrellgas. An 18,000-gallon propane tank has been installed to allow for efficient and convenient on-site refueling.
 
“Propane is a low-carbon energy source that produces up to 96 percent less toxic emissions than diesel school buses while also offering a lower total cost of ownership,” says Michelle Bimson Maggi, vice president corporate for Ferrellgas. “Ferrellgas is proud to add the School District of Philadelphia to our growing list of customers nationwide who have transformed their fleet by making the switch to propane autogas. Their decision to add clean-burning alternative fuel buses into their fleet will benefit students and local taxpayers for many years to come.”
 
With this adoption, more than 1,000 propane autogas school buses operate in Pennsylvania every school day. In total, more than 22,000 propane-powered school buses transport 1.3 million students across the United States.
 
“At the Propane Education & Research Council (PERC), we believe that every child deserves a safe, clean, healthy ride to school. The School District of Philadelphia is showing true leadership by choosing propane as a clean energy solution and providing that ideal ride,” says Bridget Kidd, COO of PERC. “They are not just investing in buses; they are investing in the future of their students and the well-being of the community. By adopting this innovative technology, the district is setting an example for others across the country.”

Read more about propane buses:

• Top autogas trends in 2024 and beyond
• Broward County Transit receives national environmental award
• Roush provides first propane transit buses to South Dakota