Montana School Receives Grant To Replace Diesel School Bus With Clean-burning Propane

CORVALLIS, Mont. (January 7, 2017) Corvallis schools have been granted $21,000 from the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) for the purchase of a new school bus that runs on propane.

“We will be purchasing a propane bus as a test to determine whether future purchases will be propane or diesel,” said Superintendent Tim Johnson. “Other districts in the state have propane buses, including Frenchtown, and have had great things to say about the buses so far.” Michael Edwards, transportation director, said Corvallis was asked by the DEQ to apply to the “Clean Diesel Project” that replaces an older bus with one that meets higher efficiency standards set by the Environmental Protection Agency.

“They are granting $21,000 towards the bus that costs $112,000, that means we’ll pay $91,000,” Edwards said. “Anytime we can get a savings, it’s worth looking at.” The engine on the 80-passenger bus is being built to run on liquid propane.

“They have used a gasoline conversion in the past but with the new technology they’re building the propane engine from the ground up,” Edwards said. “It is liquid injected propane that pulls it right into the cylinder so it keeps it better powered with more consistency.”

Edwards said the bus will have the same power and about the same miles per gallon as other school busses, but with lower fuel costs. “We can save about half as much on the fuel bill because auto propane is cheaper,” Edwards said. “I’ve been quoted 90 cents a gallon up to $1.80 and propane fluctuates less than the price of diesel.” Edwards said the school will have propane tanks enabling them to secure the price a year at a time.

“I’m looking forward to locking in that savings,” he said. “There are 11 busses in the fleet right now and when you’re able to cut your fuel bill in half that’s quite a savings.” He said the most important aspects of the new bus are the increased safety features. “The biggest one is the three-point seat-belt harness for all seats,” he said. “The seatbelts have been made better over time where even the little kids can unbuckle themselves now. Technology has come further and if we can make the kids safer that’s what we want to be purchasing and go as safe as we can.”

Edwards said that Helena is testing seatbelts to decide if it will be a Montana Law.

“Some states already have it and about five states have made it a mandate,” he said. “That’s the writing on the wall. It is an added expense but if it were to save one life, it’s worth it.” Other safety features will include a rear view camera for backing up and a stop-gate which is a rod that extends out from the front bumper when the loading lights are flashing. “Students have to go out in front of the bus to get beyond the stop-gate,” Edwards said. “It gives the driver more visibility when the students are crossing in front of the bus. It forces them where they should be anyway so you don’t lose sight of them.”

Edwards assured that the propane bus would be safe; that the gas tanks are three times thicker and built in a safer location. “In a liquid state it is not more explosive than gasoline,” he said.

Edwards said he is just waiting for the DEQ to send him the contract then he will make the purchase that was approved by the Corvallis School Board in December. The propane, seatbelt, stop-gate bus should arrive between May and July.

“I’m looking to see how the new bus works with propane technology,” Edwards said. “I did test drive one in Reno and was pleasantly surprised on the power. It really compared with diesel power but it was way quieter. We’ll purchase one right now as a sample then decide if that’s the direction we want to move in the future.”

(SOURCE COURTESY: Ravalli Republic)