Kyrene School District now runs 85% of its school bus fleet on propane Autogas. It started with LPG in 2014 when it purchased 25 Blue Bird Vision Propane-Powered buses, and now Kyrene School District added 73 more.

“With our Blue Bird Autogas school bus fleet, our technicians do not have to worry about the difficulties we encounter when servicing our diesel buses,” said Eric Nethercutt, director of transportation and facilities for Kyrene School District. “Working with propane is as easy as working on a gasoline engine.”

Equipped with Ford Motor Company’s 6.8L V10 engine, the 98 buses are powered by ROUSH CleanTech propane Autogas fuel systems. The Blue Bird propane buses will reduce nitrogen oxide emissions by more than 56,000 pounds and more than 1,400 pounds of particulate matter each year compared with the diesel buses that were replaced.

The district’s bus drivers also have a favourable view of the Autogas buses. “It is a different driving experience because the bus is so quiet,” said Nethercutt. “This allows drivers to better interact and talk with students on the bus without competing with a diesel engine.” Buses fuelled by propane Autogas reduce noise levels by about half.

“Kyrene School District has committed to cost-efficient, emissions-reducing propane school buses,” said Brian Carney, group account director for ROUSH CleanTech. “Kyrene’s transportation department, service department, drivers and students are all seeing firsthand the benefits of lower fuel prices, easier maintenance, quieter performance and cleaner air for the community.”