Data Confirms Cost Advantage For Blue Bird Propane Buses

Two examples of districts collecting this data are Biloxi, Miss. and Washingtonville, N.Y. “After evaluating our data, we found the right choice for Biloxi Public Schools,” said Sam Bailey, transportation director. “Although not always the cheapest purchase price, [through our data] we found that Blue Bird had the lowest cost of ownership, [lowest] out-of-commission time, and the longest in-service life expectancy….” Through its data, Biloxi also found that vehicle in-service rates were also higher, meaning the propane-fueled buses are more reliable to get children to school every day.

Washingtonville Central School District has also reported valuable savings through its Blue Bird propane buses. While the upfront cost of the buses was higher than diesel buses, the school district was able to recoup that incremental cost within one year. “Environmental reasons were a large part of our decision to purchase Blue Bird propane autogas buses as much as cost savings,” said Paul Nienstadt, executive director of operations. “We had a quick return on investment due to the immediate savings from both fuel and routine maintenance expenses, and this factors into our overall cost of ownership.”

Routine maintenance costs have dropped 30% for the district for its alternative fuel buses compared to its diesel buses. Including a federal tax credit, Washingtonville Central School District saves $21,000 a year on fuel costs. “School district fleet managers across the nation are finding, through their comprehensive evaluation, that Blue Bird school buses make economic sense,” said Phil Horlock, president and CEO of Blue Bird Corp. “Progressive districts like Biloxi and Washingtonville are examining the time lost when operating their school buses, which helps the taxpayers and gets the children to school on time.”