Increased operating efficiency and decreased emissions are two of the many benefits cited by an off-airport parking company operating buses fueled with “propane autogas.” Colonial Airport Parking runs around the clock, transporting travelers to and from Philadelphia International Airport. Since turning to propane autogas — the term used for propane when used as an on-road transportation fuel — the thriving business has cut fuel costs and vehicle emissions.
As we discussed at the dealer meeting, beneficiaries are in the process of being selected – they must be determined by December 2nd, which is only a few weeks away. If you have not reached out to your state’s beneficiary to discuss propane school buses, please contact Chelsea Jenkins. She can work with you to develop an outreach plan.
To make your outreach easier, we’ve created a tool that you can to use to “speak the language” of the beneficiary. This one-page flyer is attached here. The main message of this document is that in a dollar for dollar comparison to reduce NOx:
Also, we can tailor this document to your state.
Here is an updated timeline. Now is the time to schedule meetings with your beneficiary to discuss why propane is the best value based on NOx reduction. If you have any questions about the Volkswagen settlement or the Environmental Mitigation Trust, please contact Chelsea Jenkins at Chelsea.Jenkins@roush.com. You can also visit ROUSHcleantech.com/volkswagen-settlement for regularly updated information.
The alternative fuels breakout session at last week’s annual dealer meeting was jammed packed with information. First, we covered service support. Last year ROUSH CleanTech rolled out many service improvements, such as an improved call center where we are answering your call on average 95% of the time and making sure to return all calls the same day received.
For our product updates, 2018 will be an exciting year in terms of certification. As you already know, the Blue Bird Vision Propane school bus is currently certified to 0.05 g NOx. This year, we will strive to reach 0.02 g NOx. Plus, we have an extended warranty option coming.
With regard to marketing, we’ve made some changes to tours and Ride & Drives in 2018. For Ride & Drives, requirements to receive reimbursements include a minimum of 10 attendees with a focus on transportation directors, service managers, board members and superintendents. You must have a dealer-owned demo on-site for the event. You must also promote the event ahead of time. If these criteria are met, we will reimburse $2,500 per event for up to three events.
If you plan to visit our headquarters in Livonia, we’ve also established requirements for our “Autogas Academy.” The current and prospective customers who you plan to invite must be planning to purchase in the next year. You will need to provide background information on individuals ahead of tour. And, at least one dealer representative must attend with the group. We’ll be introducing a new map in the next issue with updated reimbursement amounts. Stay tuned for that.
We covered a lot of ground at the meeting. If you missed it or have additional questions, please call Brian Carney at 800.59.ROUSH.
We’re looking forward to another successful year!
Want to win a brand new 2018 ROUSH Mustang? 
Blue Bird and ROUSH CleanTech are upping the ante in 2018 to further motivate propane bus sales. The prize? A ROUSH Stage 3 Mustang valued at more than $60,000.
For every propane bus sold starting on November 20, 2017, you will earn one entry. The more propane buses you sell, the more entries you gain, increasing your odds to take home this iconic muscle car. One sales person will be chosen at random at the end of Blue Bird’s fiscal year 2018, and the lucky winner will take delivery of the Mustang at the 2018 annual dealer meeting!
We’re also offering giveaways throughout the year to reward your propane bus sales efforts. We’ll pick four winners each quarter to each win a $250 gift card.
Good luck, and let’s sell propane buses!
Each year during the Blue Bird Dealer Meeting, we recognize the dealers who were the top performers in alt fuel sales for the year. For fiscal year 2017, we awarded dealers who sold the most propane, gasoline and CNG school buses, and those who brought in the most new customers. And, now, the winners are …
For the propane category, the winners are:
For the gasoline category, the winners are:
For the CNG category, the awards go to:
Congratulations to all of our 2017 winners!
Delaware Transit Corporation (DTC) announced today that DART’s 20th annual “Stuff the Bus” Thanksgiving Food Drive collected 17.9 tons (35,832 pounds) of food. The week-long food drive took place from November 6 to November 11 at Walmart in Milford, Acme in Dover, Acme in Fairfax Shopping Center, Rodney Square in Wilmington and Acme in Newark; and new this year was the Acme in Rehoboth and the Middletown Acme. The Food Bank of Delaware will distribute the donated food through its Hunger Relief Partners to Delaware residents in need of food assistance.
The Superior School Board approved $8.6 million in school improvement bonds during its regular board meeting Nov. 6. The money represents the third phase of borrowing for the district’s $92.5 million bond referendum to replace Cooper Elementary School and renovate Superior High School. The fourth and final phase of $4.9 million is tentatively scheduled for April 1. In other action, the board approved the purchase of five Blue Bird propane wheelchair lift buses for $559,476 from United Truck Body.
Our nation has been hit hard by natural disasters in recent months. According to the Propane Education & Research Council, propane fuel played a vital role during the recent hurricanes, providing backup power, hot water and hot meals to those in need.
Did you know that school buses are the largest form of mass transportation in the nation? More than 26 million students are transported daily in school buses. They keep 17 million cars off the roads each year, and students are 70 times more likely to get to school safely by riding in a school bus than traveling by car.
Julie Murphy has earned the honor of being named one of 10 Phenomenal Women in School Transportation by School Bus Fleet magazine. The director of transportation services for Seminole County Public Schools, Florida, Murphy touts the environmental benefits of her district’s adoption of propane autogas buses.
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