It’s back to school time and yellow buses are transporting students daily. In Virginia, Newport News Public Schools (NNPS) is kicking off the new school year with its impressive fleet of propane school buses. The district serves 26,500 students, with 24,000 students transported across 202 routes using 317 buses. This includes 153 Blue Bird Vision Propane models equipped with ROUSH CleanTech systems, which is nearly half its fleet.
Butane-Propane News has announced the 10 finalists of its 2024 class of the BPN Industry Innovators.
BPN Industry Innovators was designed to showcase the propane individuals who are working every day to grow and improve the industry.
Newport News Public Schools is an urban Virginia school district that educates approximately 26,500 students in 41 schools. The district transports around 24,000 students via 202 bus routes on which buses are required to navigate tight city roads and heavy stop-and-go traffic.
The district operates 317 total school buses; 153 of them are propane school buses.
Maintaining park spaces that are vibrant, sustainable and accessible is always an energy-intensive effort. Dedicated people provide a heroic share of the power supply, but still there are needs to be met — lighting, building heat, grounds maintenance and transportation spring to mind. The push toward net-zero emissions, together with the imperatives of efficiency and cost effectiveness, make energy one of the defining challenges for park advocates and professionals.
As the push for sustainable practices intensifies, fleet operators face crucial decisions regarding alternative fuels. Propane and electric vehicles (EVs) are the two pre-eminent options. Understanding where these fuels intersect and how they will impact fleet operations in the coming years is essential for making informed choices.
Propane, particularly for Class 4-7 trucks and buses, offers a “no compromise” solution. It provides versatility with minimal impact on payload and range, comparable to traditional fuels. Propane is abundant, ensuring stable fuel prices and significant savings.
Whether you’re looking to curb emissions within your public sector fleet on your own or are under orders to do so, choosing the right alternative fuel can be overwhelming. There are some things you should take into consideration before choosing your fuel type.
Important stats from recent industry reports
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This spring, recently released reports shed light on the state of transportation fuels and technology. Here’s a look at some of the key facts and findings to help your teams consider how to move toward sustainability over the next few years.
When electric isn’t the right fit, at least not yet, school district leaders look toward other green fleet options. For Neosho School District in Missouri, located in the southwest corner of the state, propane has stood out as the winning choice for the past 10 years.
A few weeks ago, I had the opportunity to visit Spearfish, South Dakota, to enjoy the unveiling of the state’s first-ever propane buses. We celebrated not one, but two, transit agencies that have made the economical and environmentally responsible decision to integrate propane vehicles into their fleet.
