The new 149 CE Series buses, manufactured by IC Bus and equipped with the Power Solutions International (PSI) 8.8-liter LP propane engine, will serve the community and families of Waterbury Public Schools in Connecticut, and will be operated by Durham School Services.

“IC Bus is honoured to partner with Durham School Services in providing Waterbury Public Schools environmentally friendly, reliable and safe transportation,” said Trish Reed, vice president and general manager, IC Bus. “To date, this order represents the single largest deployment of Autogas school buses in the state of Connecticut and demonstrates our customers’ continued confidence in our products.”

Purpose-built for the school bus industry, the CE Series with PSI propane engine is designed to provide diesel-like performance with higher torque at lower engine speeds. The high torque-low speed design greatly benefits stop-and-start applications to allow immediate acceleration after stops and greater hill climbing capability. This not only improves startability and gradability, but also eliminates excessive noise, heat and vibration associated with constant engine revving. Minimal revving reduces engine wear, oil usage and maintenance, while increasing durability and efficiency.

The buses are being built at the IC Bus assembly plant in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Deliveries began in June 2016 and will be complete this summer in time for back-to-school transportation needs in the 2016-2017 school year.

“We strive to be environmentally friendly and work hard to earn high scores for our ‘green fleet’ efforts,” said Steve Schmuck, VP of Durham School Services operations. “Autogas is an option in that evolution. We are pleased to have partnered with IC Bus as these new buses will help improve the Waterbury community environmentally, while getting our students to school safely, on time and ready to learn.”