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.
5.30.24 – Two South Dakota transit agencies, People’s Transit in Huron and Prairie Hills Transit in Spearfish, unveiled their first orders of safe, clean and economical vehicles fueled with propane autogas.
Leading Public Fleet winner Beaverton School District near Portland operates the largest public fleet in Oregon as well as one of the cleanest bus fleets in the nation. Last year, it fully transitioned away from fossil fuels and operates its fleet of 310 school buses on renewable propane, renewable diesel and battery-electric.
