Largest family-owned school bus contractor quadruples propane school bus fleet

(Georgetown, TX) July 19, 2016 – CleanFUEL USA announced that Cook-Illinois Corporation, the largest family owned and operated school bus contractor in the United States and the sixth largest among all school bus companies nationwide, is quadrupling its current fleet of propane autogas school buses for next year and, for the first time ever, has not purchased any diesel buses. Its most recent order includes 50 Saf-T-Liner C2 units from Thomas Built Buses equipped with CleanFUEL USA Liquid Propane Injection (LPI) systems.

School districts across the country are shifting their bus fleets from diesel fuel to propane autogas to stretch strained budgets and promote cleaner air. Roger Bannerman, fleet director for Cook-Illinois Corporation, is leading the trend and experiencing significant ROI.

“We’ve had a big problem with the newer 2007 and 2010 emission diesel engines,” said Bannerman. “Maintenance on these buses is costing us a fortune.” Concerning maintenance on his propane autogas bus fleet he said, “It has been a great experience with no big repairs, and we follow our normal preventative maintenance schedules with no additional work.”

In addition to saving time and money on maintenance costs and excellent cold-weather starting, the low-cost of fuel and infrastructure greatly influenced Cook-Illinois’ decision to expand its propane autogas bus fleet. “Paying $1.29 for propane autogas and the ease of setting up infrastructure on-site convinced us to switch,” said Bannerman.

“Cook-Illinois recognizes the immense benefits that propane autogas buses offers,” said Curtis Donaldson, founder and president of CleanFUEL USA. “We are thrilled to partner with Thomas Built in providing Cook-Illinois with the best school bus transportation option on the market.”

About CleanFUEL USA:

CleanFUEL USA, the nation’s first developer of liquid propane fuel injection systems manufactures propane autogas dispensers and refueling infrastructure. Headquartered in Georgetown, Texas, with an engineering division in Wixom, Mich., CleanFUEL USA celebrates more than 20 years of innovation. Setting industry standards with a complete alternative fuel solution, CleanFUEL USA products offer unsurpassed economic and environmental advantages.