Leander Independent School District’s (LISD) school bus fleet is getting greener with the addition of 24 new buses fuelled by Autogas. The school district took out 20 old diesel buses in early August in preparation for the deployment of the new LPG models. This brings LISD’s total number of Autogas buses to 64.

Twenty of LISD’s new buses rolled out in August, with four more special education buses to be delivered in September. The school district received a Texas Commission on Environmental Quality financial grant that rebated 60% of the purchase price.

“These buses will lead LISD to a brighter future by helping to decrease our carbon footprint,” said Steve Stripling, director of transportation for the district. “Our older diesel buses did not run as clean, and it was time to replace them with propane technology that will reduce emissions out of the tailpipe. Our school district is a steward of our environment and seeks the best options for the health and safety of our students and community.”

The new Blue Bird Vision Propane buses are powered with Ford Motor Company’s 6.8L V10 engine equipped by a ROUSH CleanTech Autogas fuel system. The new buses will reduce annual nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions by over 31,200 pounds and particulate matter emissions by over 635 pounds compared with the diesel buses that were replaced.

“In addition to the Autogas buses being a good environmental choice, they are also a good economic choice,” said Brian Carney, executive director of school bus sales and customer support for ROUSH CleanTech. “These buses eliminate the need for diesel exhaust after-treatment systems and a number of other expensive maintenance items due to the clean-burning property of the fuel.”

“In LISD, we constantly look for ways to give our taxpayers a return on their investment, as well as to provide the safest and cleanest burning technology as possible,” added Stripling. “We firmly feel that the purchase of our Autogas fleet meets this goal.”