Largest Illinois School District Adds 15 Vision Autogas School Buses
(October 22, 2018) — Township High School District 211 in Cook County, Ill., the largest high school district in the state, added 15 propane autogas-fueled buses to its fleet for the 2018-2019 school year. The Blue Bird Corp. Vision Type C models reduce operating costs and help the district lower its carbon footprint. “District 211 strives to be green in as many areas as we can,” said Diana Mikelski, director of transportation. “Our new propane-fueled buses are one major way we can improve the air quality around our schools.” Mikelski estimates that the new propane buses will collectively save about $15,000 a year in fuel costs alone. “We are reducing our transportation costs with propane buses and the savings will be reallocated to other transportation…
(October 22, 2018) — Township High School District 211 in Cook County, Ill., the largest high school district in the state, added 15 propane autogas-fueled buses to its fleet for the 2018-2019 school year. The Blue Bird Corp. Vision Type C models reduce operating costs and help the district lower its carbon footprint.
“District 211 strives to be green in as many areas as we can,” said Diana Mikelski, director of transportation. “Our new propane-fueled buses are one major way we can improve the air quality around our schools.” Mikelski estimates that the new propane buses will collectively save about $15,000 a year in fuel costs alone.
“We are reducing our transportation costs with propane buses and the savings will be reallocated to other transportation initiatives,” she said. “Our taxpayers will be able to observe our goal to reduce pollution and operating costs, which saves dollars in the end.” Mikelski added that the school district plans to purchase more propane buses once an annual replacement schedule has been determined. “We chose propane buses because they give us the whole package—low maintenance and fuel costs, reliability in extreme temperatures, and quiet operation.”
Equipped with Ford Motor Co.’s 6.8-liter, V-10 engine, the buses feature ROUSH CleanTech propane fuel systems. The district’s propane buses, which run regular daily routes, will reduce nitrogen oxide emissions by nearly 14,000 pounds and particulate matter by about 475 pounds each year compared with the diesel buses they replaced.
Propane buses virtually eliminate particulate matter when compared with conventional diesel. “Township High School District 211 joins the growing number of school districts looking to alternative fuels to lower total ownership costs,” said Ryan Zic, director of school bus sales at ROUSH CleanTech. “Along with financial savings, propane buses have the added benefit of cutting pollution, operating more quietly, and running on a domestically produced fuel source.”
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