Blue Bird Reveals Newest Vision Gen 4 Propane School Bus

RENO, Nev. (July 25, 2016) — Attendees at this year’s STN Expo will have their first opportunity to experience Blue Bird’s newest offering, the Vision Gen 4 Propane School Bus, July 25-27, 2016. Ride and Drive events are scheduled for July 26 and July 27, 2016. Blue Bird Corporation will also provide technical training at this summer’s STN Expo in Reno, Nevada, to support its new powertrain and braking system offerings, the company announced. The sessions begin July 25 and run through July 27. The two-and-a-haf day training seminar is led by expert technical trainers from Blue Bird, as well as subject matter experts from ROUSH CleanTech, Bendix and Eaton.

“At Blue Bird, we have an unwavering commitment to be the best in passenger safety and total cost of ownership, as well as robust service and support,” says Phil Horlock, president and CEO, Blue Bird Corporation, who notes that Blue Bird also is the leading OEM of alternative-fuel powered school buses. “We and our partners continue to innovate and develop affordable, industry-leading products that our school bus customers want and value. The Blue Bird Vision Gen 4 Propane as well as Vision CNG buses are excellent examples of our spirit of innovation.”

Blue Bird’s newest offering to school bus fleets is the Vision Gen 4 Propane bus. It features Blue Bird’s industry-exclusive Ford/ROUSH CleanTech powertrain — a modern, proven engine and transmission with a 5-year, unlimited-mile warranty. The new Type C Vision Gen 4 Propane bus exceeds stringent emission standards, with virtually zero emissions, and has better fuel economy than other propane-fueled school buses due to the buses EconoShift optimization. The company noted propane-powered Blue Bird Vision also ranked number one in safety according to independent research, and has one of the lowest total costs of ownership.

Sam Bailey, transportation director for Biloxi Public Schools, agrees. After evaluating their data, “Blue Bird has the lowest cost of ownership, [lowest] out-of-commission time, and the longest in-service life expectancy by 41 percent over the other brands,” he says.

The Vision Gen 4 Propane continues to advance the propane technology found in Blue Bird’s previous Vision Propane buses and incorporates several enhancements including:

• Easier serviceability thanks to repositioned sending units and pre-injector filters, along with O-ring sealed fuel lines and a new optional Euro-style fill connector.

• Increased reliability, with infinitely variable speed dual fuel pumps and thinner fuel rails that reduce start time up to 50 percent.

Participants also can assess these additional Blue Bird and Micro Bird offerings:

• Cummins ISV5.0 Diesel-Powered Engine — This fuel-efficient 5.0L V8 engine is exclusive to Blue Bird and paired with Allison Transmission’s FuelSense technology. The engine’s performance sets a new noise standard for being the quietest diesel engine on the road, and its compact size makes service simple. It also offers the lowest acquisition price of all Blue Bird diesel models.
• Eaton Procision Transmission — Powered by a Cummins ISB engine, this is the first dual-clutch, seven-speed automatic transmission introduced for Class 6-7 vehicles. The transmission ensures driver confidence by efficiently accelerating and optimizing shift points to reach the highest gear as early as possible.
• Micro Bird T-Series MPV — The multipurpose passenger vehicle features an extra-wide body design, maximum visibility of loading zone, better fuel economy, contemporary ergonomics and design, galvanized steel structure and side impact barriers, superior insulation and standard LED lights.
• Micro Bird G5 with Lift —The Type A bus boasts an extra-wide body design, superior insulation, double-action energy-absorbing body mounting blocks, galvanized steel structure and side impact barriers, standard LED lights and maximum visibility of loading zone. ADA-compliant lifts and wheelchair securement systems are also featured.

At the Blue Bird Booth:

In addition to the new buses and powertrains at the Ride and Drive events, Blue Bird will highlight the following technologies in Booth B, Silver Pavilion:

• Allison Transmission — An Allison fully automatic transmission delivers proven and reliable performance under the toughest road conditions and comes standard on all Blue Bird diesel buses. The patented torque converter smoothly delivers more power to the wheels, giving drivers greater control and wear-free launch. Allison’s innovative FuelSense packages maximize fuel economy based on the vehicle’s weight and surface operating grade.
• Ford 6.8L V10 Engine — This modular engine with proven durability and reliability powers all Blue Bird Vision buses. It comes with a 5-year, unlimited-mile warranty and allows bus fleet managers to train staff on just one engine platform across propane, gasoline and CNG.
• Blue Bird Electronic Stability Control (ESC) System — Recognizing and assisting drivers in a wide range of adverse road conditions and driving situations, this full-stability system automatically activates the braking system selectively to each wheel, slowing the vehicle and avoiding skidding when a rollover or loss-of-control is detected by the system. Blue Bird is the first school bus OEM in North America to offer this system from Bendix on its Type C bus models.