School districts run all-propane bus fleets

Two school districts realizing the benefits of propane autogas – Indian River County School District (Florida) and Kingston Community School District (Michigan) – have transitioned their entire school bus fleets to run on the clean-burning fuel.

Indian River became one of the first school districts in the country – and the first in Florida – to integrate propane school buses into its fleet. (Photo courtesy of Roush CleanTech)

After testing three propane autogas school buses in 2009, the Indian River County School District in Indian River County, Florida, has continued to replace aging diesel buses with propane-powered models.

Each of its 83 Blue Bird Vision propane buses travel 20,000 miles per year. The 6,000-student school district says it’s realizing 71 percent savings on preventative maintenance costs and 53 percent savings on fuel. It’s paying $1.68 per gallon for propane.

Indian River became one of the first school districts in the country – and the first in Florida – to integrate propane school buses into its fleet.

The Kingston Community School District in Kingston, Michigan, moved to an all-propane bus fleet this fall to cover its daily routes.

The district has leased six new Blue Bird propane buses, from Holland Bus Co., and locked in a two-year cost for propane at $1.50 per gallon, which Kingston says is a 62 percent savings over its diesel price.

According to the district, diesel buses have become more challenging to troubleshoot and repair as the legal requirements to make them run cleaner have expanded. Propane removes the complexity and cost of after-treatment measures since the fuel doesn’t require additional fluids or filters.

Kingston, which serves about 630 students, says it will keep three diesel buses as backup if additional buses are required to transport students.

Both school districts are operating propane buses equipped with Roush CleanTech fuel systems.

Photo courtesy of Roush CleanTech

Transit agency adopts autogas

Allegan County Transportation in Allegan, Michigan, operates seven new buses powered by propane autogas, helping the county meet air quality attainment goals and save taxpayer dollars. The county estimates it will save about 50 percent on fuel costs and up to 70 percent on maintenance costs. Roush CleanTech is providing the propane fuel system technology. There are more than 1,500 propane-powered transit vehicles operating in transit agencies around the nation, including Boyne City, Detroit, Flint, Grand Rapids, Lapeer and Saginaw in Michigan alone.