West Virginia to deploy its first autogas-fueled school bus

Monongalia County Schools says it is the first district in West Virginia to purchase a propane autogas-powered school bus, which it plans to deploy on the first day of classes this year.

The district purchased one Blue Bird propane Vision, which runs on a Ford 6.8-liter V10 engine and 6R140 transmission powertrain, from Blue Bird Bus Sales of West Virginia.

Jeff Meadows, assistant superintendent of transportation for Monongalia County Schools, says the purchase is a first for the entire state of West Virginia.

“I believe after one year of service, we will start to see more Blue Bird propane-powered school buses in fleets across the state,” Meadows says.

According to Blue Bird, sales of its autogas buses are beginning to outpace traditional school bus sales, as customers notice environmental and cost benefits to the buses. School districts that have replaced older diesel buses in their fleets with autogas buses are experiencing a combined savings in maintenance and fuel costs of $4,000 to $5,000 per bus each year, Blue Bird reports.

Monongalia County Schools has a contract with its propane provider that allows the district to roll in the cost of the fueling infrastructure with the price of the fuel. The district has two 1,000-gallon propane tanks installed at its location.

“It was very easy to get the infrastructure for this vehicle installed,” Meadows adds. “They rolled the price of the infrastructure into the cost of the fuel, which will save the school district thousands of dollars when compared with infrastructure costs for other types of fuel.”

Kanawha County Schools in Charleston demonstrated propane school buses in June.