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“The biggest thing we’ve noticed is that tion Agency’s Clean School Bus Program. Propane also
the clean operation of the propane buses has qualifies for a $0.37 per gallon government incentive
reduced the emissions in our garage and around through the alternative fuel tax credit.
our schools,” said Bryan. “There is far less crude All savings from the operation of propane bus-
build-up on our computer screens inside of our es have been allocated back into the district’s general
maintenance bays, which is obviously a plus for budget, including the savings in fuel costs.
our lungs.”

The school district’s newest propane buses, Positive Performance and Feedback
which arrived in 2023, are certified to 0.02 g/hphr Bryan and the transportation staff have only
NOx. They’re 90% cleaner in NOx than the EPA and positive feedback about their decade-long experience
California Air Resources Board (CARB) regulations set operating propane school buses. “Our propane buses
to take effect in 2027. are easy to maintain, create less pollution, increase
financial savings and operate on a local fuel,” said Bry-
Operational Benefits an. “I can’t express how pleased I am with the perfor-
“Our propane buses greatly reduce the time mance of our propane fleet.”■
spent in maintenance when compared to the mainte- Source: Todd Mouw is executive vice president of sales and
nance required to keep the emission equipment on a marketing of ROUSH CleanTech, an industry leader of advanced
diesel bus operational,” said Bryan. “Thus, our me- clean vehicle technology. Mouw has more than two decades of
chanics have been very happy.” experience in the automotive and high-tech industries. As former
president of the NTEA Green Truck Association, Mouw helped
The buses run quieter than their diesel coun- set standards in the green trucking industry. To learn more, visit
terparts and allow the drivers to more easily interact ROUSHcleantech.com
with passengers. Buses fueled by propane reduce
noise levels by about half compared to a diesel engine. Do you know about the Clean-
“Every driver of our propane buses has expressed a School Bus Program Rebates?
preference of the propane model over the diesel due The Environment Protection Agency (EPA) an-
to reduced cabin noise and increased power on hills,” nounced $500 million dollars in funding to incentivize
Bryan said. and accelerate the replacement of existing school
buses with clean school buses, including propane
“The Bradford area saw temperatures of neg- buses. Propane buses are eligible for up to $35,000
ative 25 degrees Fahrenheit in 2015, and our propane per bus.
buses ran without missing a beat,” said Bryan. The
propane autogas fuel system used in the Blue Bird Vi- Applications will be accepted from state and
sion heats the buses quickly and provides unaided cold local governmental entities that provide bus service,
weather starts at negative 40 degrees Fahrenheit. including public school districts; eligible contractors;
nonprofit school transportation associations; Indian
Immediate and Long-Term Savings Tribes, Tribal organizations, or Tribally-controlled
Leadership was thrilled that the district saw a schools. School bus dealers, original equipment man-
return on its investment within the first year of op- ufacturers (OEMs), school bus service providers, and
eration. Propane buses offer the lowest total cost of private school bus fleets that meet specified criteria
ownership compared with other alternative fuels. are eligible contractors. The program guidance and

On average, propane autogas costs about 50% application process differ from prior EPA school bus
less than diesel. Currently, the district is paying $4.70 rebate programs. Click here for the detailed Program
per gallon of diesel versus $1.50 for propane. The Guide.
district received a $5,000 rebate on the cost of each Questions? Go to the NPGA member dash-
initial bus in 2013, and has subsequently accessed board to see the FAQ about the rebate program, a
funding from Pennsylvania’s Alternative Fuel Incentive template letter to send to eligible entities, or contact
Grant program as well as the Environmental Protec- NPGA Director of Regulatory Affairs Kate Gaziano.■

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