Waterford School District introduced 10 new school buses fueled by propane autogas into its fleet this week, joining almost 30 other school districts in the state to operate Blue Bird Vision Propane buses. Propane is an economical alternative fuel that will allow the school district to save money in maintenance and fuel costs, and to reduce its carbon footprint.
Each bus is fitted with propane fuel systems manufactured by ROUSH CleanTech, a division of ROUSH Enterprises based in Livonia.
“Prior to joining WSD, I had a very positive experience with propane-fueled buses,” said WSD Superintendent Keith Wunderlich. “School buses operating on propane are environmentally friendly and reliable in cold weather conditions, plus offer cost saving benefits.”
Wunderlich also said that the school district selected propane-fueled buses because they provide the added safety of a quieter running engine and, although the initial purchase cost is higher, the “savings in overall cost of ownership versus a diesel bus is worth the initial cost.”
“Waterford School District joins hundreds of school districts across America making the decision to find fuel alternatives for their buses,” said Brian Carney, executive director of school bus and customer support for ROUSH CleanTech. “Propane is a proven choice that costs about 50 percent less than diesel per gallon and reduces maintenance costs due to its clean-operating properties.”
Equipped with Ford Motor Company’s 6.8L V10 engines, the Blue Bird Vision Propane buses emit 80 percent fewer smog-producing hydrocarbons and virtually eliminate particulate matter when compared with diesel.
The fleet of propane autogas buses will reduce nitrogen oxide emissions by about 10,000 pounds and particulate matter by about 315 pounds each year compared with the diesel buses they replaced. These ROUSH CleanTech propane autogas fuel systems are Environmental Protection Agency and California Air Resources Board certified.
Since 2010, ROUSH CleanTech has deployed almost 14,000 propane autogas vehicles to fleets across America. Of those, more than half are school buses.
