In an effort to save on operating costs and help protect the environment, BeST Transit is converting its fleet to operate on propane autogas.
Working closely with Roush CleanTech, Ferrellgas and Coach & Equipment, along with the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, BeST now has six propane-fueled, fixed-route buses in service, moving the authority closer to its goal of having 70 percent of the fleet running on propane.
With the goal of transitioning its fleet to 50% alternative fuels by 2030, the school system added 52 new propane buses in 2026 and has 83 on order for 2027.
At ROUSH CleanTech, our work is grounded in trust, quality, innovation and American values. As our team talks with school districts, transit agencies and postal service contractors operating propane vehicles, we see more and more that, in the midst of rapidly changing global and domestic events, they can continue to depend on the real solution we’re providing through advanced propane engine technology.
A Pennsylvania mass transportation system has set a goal of converting 70% of its fleet to run on propane. In February, the Pennsylvania secretary of transportation joined BeST for a ribbon cutting to unveil the new propane buses.
Blue Bird CorporationBLBD, a leader in electric and low-emission school buses, has entered into an agreement to acquire Girardin Group’s stake in the 50/50 Micro Bird joint venture in order to gain full ownership of the business. The deal is valued at approximately $200 million, with 30% to be paid in cash and the remaining 70% in Blue Bird common stock. The transaction is anticipated to close in the first half of 2026, subject to customary closing conditions and regulatory approvals.
Two Washington Counties, two school leaders and two fleet managers came together in February with a shared focus: exploring the transition from diesel to propane-powered school buses.
Virginia Clean Cities, a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing alternative fuels and cleaner transportation options, facilitated a conversation with Washington County, Virginia Public Schools about what a shift to propane could mean for its fleet. While presentations and data are helpful, school leaders agreed that seeing the technology firsthand offers valuable perspective.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has announced a restructuring of the $5 billion Clean School Bus Program and opened a public consultation on alternative fuel technologies ahead of the 2026 funding round.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on February 19, 2026 outlined a path forward for revising the Clean School Bus (CSB) Program, including the launch of a Request for Information (RFI) and the cancellation of the 2024 CSB Rebate Program. The agency stated that the changes are intended to strengthen oversight and compliance and to align future funding rounds with current federal policy priorities. The announcement was released by the EPA Press Office.
In the midst of one of the most extreme winters in recent memory, with millions of Americans are facing sub-zero temperatures, many public and private businesses are reminded that not all transportation technology can withstand the demands of harsh winter weather.
Propane retailers attending the 2025 LP Gas Growth Summit answered this question:
What technologies has your company implemented, or do you plan to implement, to better your operation?
The United States is approaching its 250th anniversary this Fourth of July. It makes me reflect on our nation’s history, which has been defined by innovation and a drive for a stronger, more independent nation. This spirit continues today within ROUSH CleanTech and in our country’s pursuit of clean, domestic transportation fuel solutions. Propane autogas stands out as a powerful, American-made fuel ready to power our country’s fleet vehicles into its next chapter, delivering on our shared goals for both environmental health and energy security.
