Indiana School District Replaces Diesel Buses with Economical, Clean Propane Autogas

Three new school buses, fueled by clean-burning, affordable propane autogas, will be in operation for the 2015-2016 school year in the DeKalb County Central United School District.

DeKalb Central United Schools, DeKalb County’s largest school district, will replace 12-year-old diesel buses with new Blue Bird Propane Vision buses.

“Encouraging intentional innovation is one of our key priority areas of our district’s strategic plan. In a time of diminishing resources, we strive to be as innovative and energy efficient as possible,” shared DeKalb Central Superintendent Dr. Sherry Grate. “After researching the data regarding the incorporation of propane autogas fueled school buses in to our fleet, a very deliberate decision was made to pursue this opportunity.”

Cutting greenhouse gas emissions, a cleaner riding environment for students, and reduced maintenance costs for each unit, were reasons cited by the Indiana school district for the purchase of the propane autogas buses.

On average, autogas costs up to 50 percent less than diesel fuel and Blue Bird Propane Vision buses start up in temperatures as low as minus 40 degrees Fahrenheit, without needing to be plugged in or having a block heater installed. Another benefit of propane autogas buses is that they are much quieter than their diesel counterparts, so the bus driver can hear the children on the bus and be more attentive. The buses also make less of an impact on neighborhoods.

“As the leader in propane, Blue Bird is committed to providing school districts with a reliable, innovative and proven technology that is favorable to a district’s bottom line,” said Trey Jenkins, vice president of alternative fuels for Blue Bird Corporation. “Like many districts, DeKalb Central United Schools did the research and realized that propane autogas is the best choice for reducing fuel and maintenance costs while providing cleaner air for the community. This is a great decision by DeKalb Central United Schools.”

While DeKalb Central United is the first school district in its area to purchase propane autogas powered buses, across the country hundreds of thousands of students are transported daily to school in buses operating on autogas. It is the most commonly used alternative fuel in the nation and worldwide. Vehicles fueled by autogas comply with the same safety standards as their conventionally fueled counterparts.

“DeKalb Central United Schools is blazing the trail in Indiana with its commitment to making the switch to propane autogas fueled school buses,” said Todd Mouw, vice president of sales and marketing for ROUSH CleanTech. “By choosing this safe, abundant and American-made fuel, school districts across the nation are slashing their operating costs and reducing their carbon footprint.”

The school district purchased the Type C school buses from MacAllister Bus Sales, Indiana’s Blue Bird dealer. Each bus is equipped with a ROUSH CleanTech propane autogas fuel system. Two of the district’s autogas buses are on site, with the third bus being delivered soon.

Going green with school buses is one way that DeKalb hopes to cut its budget while helping the environment at the same time.

Blue Bird offers a complete line of Type A, C and D school buses in a variety of options and configurations. For more than 85 years, Blue Bird Corporation has continued to set industry standards with its innovative design and manufacturing capabilities. Additionally, Blue Bird provides comprehensive financial solutions through Blue Bird Capital Services. Today Blue Bird has more than 1,500 employees, Georgia-based manufacturing facilities and an extensive network of Dealers, service and parts facilities throughout North America. Its global presence can be seen in more than 60 countries through sales into Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, Latin America, Europe and the Middle East. For more information, visit the Blue Bird Corporation web site at

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ROUSH CleanTech, an industry leader of alternative fuel vehicle technology, is a division of ROUSH Enterprises based in Livonia, Mich. ROUSH CleanTech designs, engineers, manufactures and installs propane autogas fuel system technology for light- and medium-duty Ford commercial vehicles, and Type A and Type C Blue Bird school buses. As a Ford QVM-certified alternative fuel vehicle manufacturer, ROUSH CleanTech delivers economical, clean and domestically produced fueling options for fleets across the country.