Thursday, April 2, 2015
Ninety-two propane-fueled Blue Bird school buses will be serving the youngest and largest green fleet of school vehicles in Colorado. Student Transportation of America Inc. (STA; Wall Township, N.J.) has been awarded a new $6-million annual contract with Mesa County Valley School District 51 in Grand Junction, Colo. to provide school transportation services.
The five-year contract starts in July. The school district was able to qualify for additional incentives, such as the innovative motor vehicle and alternative fuel vehicle credits, as identified by STA’s innovation team. This allowed STA to lower the total cost of the proposal since the propane buses are qualifying motor vehicles. While this is the first operation in Colorado for STA, the company is experienced with other large autogas fleets. In 2013, more than 400 Blue Bird buses were delivered to its operation in Omaha, Neb. STA also operates other large fleets in Los Angeles, Milwaukee, and Meridian, Idaho.
“Blue Bird’s proven propane solution will save the district thousands of dollars per year, per bus,” said Trey Jenkins, vice president of alternative fuels at Blue Bird Corp. (Fort Valley, Ga.). “In addition, we are delighted that this district was able to benefit from one of the many incentives that state and local authorities offer to alternative fuel vehicle solutions. We are excited to have Mesa County experience the industry’s best and most cost-effective alternative fuel system.”
“This is a great bid win for us and we are excited about expanding our operations in Colorado,” said Don Kissell, senior vice president at STA. “We will be looking to show other school districts in the state how our public-private partnership can not only upgrade their fleet and improve service, but lower their cost of operation.”
The five-year contract starts in July. The school district was able to qualify for additional incentives, such as the innovative motor vehicle and alternative fuel vehicle credits, as identified by STA’s innovation team. This allowed STA to lower the total cost of the proposal since the propane buses are qualifying motor vehicles. While this is the first operation in Colorado for STA, the company is experienced with other large autogas fleets. In 2013, more than 400 Blue Bird buses were delivered to its operation in Omaha, Neb. STA also operates other large fleets in Los Angeles, Milwaukee, and Meridian, Idaho.
“Blue Bird’s proven propane solution will save the district thousands of dollars per year, per bus,” said Trey Jenkins, vice president of alternative fuels at Blue Bird Corp. (Fort Valley, Ga.). “In addition, we are delighted that this district was able to benefit from one of the many incentives that state and local authorities offer to alternative fuel vehicle solutions. We are excited to have Mesa County experience the industry’s best and most cost-effective alternative fuel system.”
“This is a great bid win for us and we are excited about expanding our operations in Colorado,” said Don Kissell, senior vice president at STA. “We will be looking to show other school districts in the state how our public-private partnership can not only upgrade their fleet and improve service, but lower their cost of operation.”
