Arizona School District Adds 73 Blue Bird Propane School Buses to Fleet

PHOENIX (April 20, 2016) — Propane autogas continues to gain momentum among school districts throughout the U.S. as the clean-burning alternative fuel of choice for school bus fleets. This includes the recent upgrade of 73 school buses to propane autogas by the Kyrene School District in Arizona. The District now runs 85 percent of its school bus fleet on propane autogas. Propane autogas is less expensive than diesel, easier to service, reduces harmful emissions, requires less maintenance, and is much quieter than their diesel counterparts.

The Kyrene school district started with propane autogas in 2014 when it purchased 25 Blue Bird Vision Propane-Powered buses. This school year, Kyrene School District added 73 more.

“With our Blue Bird propane autogas school bus fleet, our technicians don’t have to worry about the difficulties we encounter when servicing our diesel buses,” said Eric Nethercutt, director of transportation and facilities for Kyrene School District. “Working with propane is as easy as working on a gasoline engine.”

Equipped with Ford Motor Company’s 6.8L V10 engine, the 98 buses are powered by ROUSH CleanTech propane autogas fuel systems. The Blue Bird propane buses will reduce nitrogen oxide emissions by more than 56,000 pounds and more than 1,400 pounds of particulate matter each year compared with the diesel buses that were replaced.

“Our Blue Bird Vision Propane school bus is the right solution for any school system looking to be environmentally and fiscally responsible,” said Phil Horlock, president and CEO of Blue Bird. “We applaud Kyrene School District for being a leader in alternative-fuel use in Arizona and we are delighted they are choosing Blue Bird’s class-leading propane-powered bus as their solution, as have hundreds of other school districts across the country.”

The district’s bus drivers also have a favorable view of the propane autogas buses. “It’s a different driving experience because the bus is so quiet,” said Nethercutt. “This allows drivers to better interact and talk with students on the bus without competing with a diesel engine.” Buses fueled by propane autogas reduce noise levels by about half.

“Kyrene School District has committed to cost-efficient, emissions-reducing propane school buses,” said Brian Carney, group account director for ROUSH CleanTech. “Kyrene’s transportation department, service department, drivers and students are all seeing firsthand the benefits of lower fuel prices, easier maintenance, quieter performance and cleaner air for the community.”

Currently, Kyrene School District averages $1.15 per gallon for propane autogas compared with $1.50 per gallon for diesel. In addition, the school district will benefit from a 36 cents per gallon tax rebate provided by the federal government. The school district is working with their propane provider to install an onsite fuel station to further reduce the cost per gallon. Historically, propane autogas costs about 50 percent less than diesel per gallon, and a propane station costs less to install than any other fueling infrastructure.