Township High School District 211 Adds Clean-Burning Propane-Fueled School Buses
District replaces aging diesel buses with cost-effective, emissions-reducing Blue Bird Vision Propane buses, saves $15,000 in annual fuel costs
PALATINE, Ill. (September 5, 2018) — Township High School District 211 added 15 propane autogas-fueled buses to its fleet for the 2018-19 school year. These Blue Bird Vision Propane Type C models reduce operating costs and help the school district lower its carbon footprint.
“District 211 strives to be green in as many areas as we can. Our new propane-fueled buses are one major way we can improve the air quality around our schools,” said Diana Mikelski, director of transportation for Township High School District 211.
Equipped with Ford’s 6.8L V10 engine, the buses are powered by ROUSH CleanTech propane fuel systems. The district’s propane buses, which run regular daily routes, will reduce nitrogen oxide emissions by almost 14,000 pounds and particulate matter by about 475 pounds each year compared with the diesel buses they replaced. Propane buses also virtually eliminate particulate matter when compared with conventional diesel.
“Township High School District 211 joins the growing number of school districts looking to alternative fuels to lower total ownership costs,” said Ryan Zic, director of school bus sales of ROUSH CleanTech. “Along with financial savings, propane buses have the added benefit of cutting pollution, operating more quietly and running on a domestically produced fuel source.”
Mikelski estimates that the new propane buses will collectively save approximately $15,000 per year in fuel costs alone. “We are reducing our transportation costs with propane buses and the savings will be reallocated to other transportation initiatives,” Mikelski said. “Our taxpayers will be able to observe our goal to reduce pollution and operating costs, which saves dollars in the end.
Mikelski said the district plans to purchase more propane school buses once an annual replacement schedule has been determined, stating, “We chose propane buses because they give us the whole package — low maintenance and fuel costs, reliability in extreme temperatures and quiet operation.”
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