With roughly 2,000 students out of the 3,500-student population riding buses to and from school, the Hannibal Public School District is working to update its aging fleet of diesel buses with propane-fueled alternatives.
Right now, the district has 10 propane buses – eight from Blue Bird and two from Navistar’s IC Bus – operating on routes, along with an on-site propane autogas station.
A major factor in the adoption of alternative fuels is location. For DDA Transport, its New England operations limited its options.
DDA’s primary business is as a postal contractor, transporting local mail in medium-duty straight trucks and linehaul mail between postal distribution centers in New Hampshire and Vermont.
With all the information about alternative fuels out there, it can be difficult to know where to turn. That’s why we’ve compiled trusted resources that outline why propane is such a great, sustainable fuel option for fleets and schools — without the need for government subsidies.
Funding experts confirmed that school districts and bus companies that meet eligibility for being located in a low-income census tract can receive a tax credit for electric vehicle charging infrastructure, CNG and propane fueling, and at least a 20-percent mixture of biodiesel with diesel.
Over the last four decades, fleets have turned to propane autogas as their energy source of choice thanks to its clean, affordable, and reliable benefits. But beyond the operational benefits, many fleet owners are pleased to learn that propane autogas also provides convenient and reliable refueling solutions.
Powering school buses with alternative fuels is gaining momentum in pupil transportation. For some, the change comes amid local government pressures. For others, switching to traditional alternative fuels is a simpler way to curb emissions than switching to electric school buses.
Zionsville Community Schools recently made changes to its bus system to accommodate student population growth and support the environment.
According to Amy Eaton, transportation manager for Zionsville Community Schools, 54 buses are now fueled by propane Autogas that supports a healthy environment.
In the ongoing conversation about clean(er) transportation, we continue to hear that the only solutions are electric or hydrogen fuel cell vehicles. We believe these technologies will play a pivotal role over the coming decades. However, consumers should avoid “stepping over the dimes to save the pennies” along the way. The most important step we can take right now is to remove as many outdated diesel vehicles from the roads as soon as possible with commercially viable technologies such as propane autogas.
It’s hard to believe a new year is upon us, and yet here we are opening 2024 following a year of headlines covering things like inflation, the workforce crisis and the world’s collective dive into the arena of artificial intelligence (AI). Among these hot topics is the propane industry’s continued drive to claim its place as a clean, alternative fuel for the future — one that isn’t edged out by the “electrify everything” movement as it fights for energy choice rights for consumers.
