The community of Browning is about 45 miles south of the Canadian border inside of the Blackfeet Indian Nation, just west of Glacier National Park in northwest Montana. Browning Public Schools is the district that serves nearly 2,000 students in the area, a region U.S. News and World Report classifies in its school rankings as “fringe rural.”
Blue Bird’s Steven Whaley, alternative fuels manager for the school bus manufacturer, first reviewed the company’s diesel, gasoline, propane and electric school bus options as well as deployment numbers, pricing comparison and clean energy statistics.
Propane, he said during Sunday’s Lunch and Learn session, has a low carbon intensity footprint, is safe enough to use for cooking and is domestically produced. Blue Bird’s propane bus, he specified, was certified to an ultra-low NOx emissions level. He added that propane buses are suited for both rural and urban settings, plus their quiet operation means students arrive at school calmer.
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.
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.
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?
An area business has added some new members to its vehicle fleet. Trobec’s Bus Service in St. Joseph has added five new 2026 propane-powered school buses to its fleet thanks to a partnership with North Central Bus and Equipment. Trobec’s says the additional buses reflect its commitment to environmental responsibility, operational excellence, and student safety.
The new propane buses have cleaner emissions, advanced safety technology, and run quieter than traditional buses. The company says they are excited about what the new buses mean for its drivers, passengers, and the company’s future.
For years, Clarksville-Montgomery County Schools has hosted an Angel Tree, providing students and families with a little Christmas cheer for the holidays. This year, the district gave that holiday joy to 350 kids.
In Northwestern Minnesota, White Earth Public Transit sought alternative fueling options to reduce fuel costs and improve the reliability of services to residents of the state’s largest Indian reservation in one of the most rural and coldest regions in the state. It began exploring propane autogas as a fuel source.
