Grants Help Texas School District Acquire 24 New Blue Bird Propane Buses
Leander Independent School District students began riding to school in new Blue Bird Vision propane-fueled buses in December 2018, thanks to grants from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ). The 24 new buses are equipped with Ford’s 6.8-liter, V-10 engine and ROUSH CleanTech propane fuel systems, which are certified by the Environ mental Protection Agency (EPA) and the California Air Resources Board (CARB). The best-selling propane school bus in North America is also the cleanest. The Vision buses produce low nitrogen oxide emissions at 0.05g NOx, which is 75% cleaner than the EPA emissions standard. “The impact of our school bus fleet on the environment is a big concern because many of our community members live in an environmentally sensitive area,” said Ann Hatton,…
Leander Independent School District students began riding to school in new Blue Bird Vision propane-fueled buses in December 2018, thanks to grants from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ). The 24 new buses are equipped with Ford’s 6.8-liter, V-10 engine and ROUSH CleanTech propane fuel systems, which are certified by the Environ
mental Protection Agency (EPA) and the California Air Resources Board (CARB).
The best-selling propane school bus in North America is also the cleanest. The Vision buses produce low nitrogen oxide emissions at 0.05g NOx, which is 75% cleaner than the EPA emissions standard. “The impact of our school bus fleet on the environment is a big concern because many of our community members live in an environmentally sensitive area,” said Ann Hatton, director of transportation at Leander ISD. “They appreciate that our school district is adopting a cleaner transportation option in propane.”
The school district, which has operated Blue Bird Corp.’s propane-powered buses since 2008, has obtained multiple grants over the years. This year it received $740,000 in funding from TCEQ. “Both our propane provider and local Blue Bird dealer have been very active in helping us identify grants,” Hatton said.
“Leander ISD received grants from both TCEQ and Lone Star Clean Fuels Alliance because propane buses reduce harmful emissions around its students, drivers, and community,” said Ryan Zic, director of school bus sales at ROUSH CleanTech. “These buses will also lower the district’s fuel and maintenance costs significantly over their lifetime by operating with domestically produced propane autogas.”
ROUSH CleanTech notes that across North America propane autogas averages 40% to 50% less than diesel.
Currently, the school district pays 45% less for propane than diesel fuel. “The savings achieved with our propane buses goes back into our school district’s general funds,” said Hatton. “I am pleased that our choice of an alternative fuel can help put money back into the classroom.”
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