In a partnership with the New Mexico Public Education Department, Los Lunas Public Schools, Magdalena Municipal School District and Moriarty-Edgewood School District (MESD) have each purchased school buses powered by LPG. The 17 Blue Bird Vision buses will be the first Autogas buses to operate in the state, and will begin operation for the 2020-2021 school year.

“Our district has had to dip into operational monies to supplement our transportation costs over the last eight years. Adopting LPG technology will be significantly cheaper in fuel and maintenance costs,” said Teresa Salazar, superintendent of MESD.

“It is very rewarding to see these New Mexico school districts lead the state toward adopting these near-zero emission Autogas school buses,” said Mark Terry, chief commercial officer of Blue Bird Corporation. “They will experience the cost- and emissions-reducing benefits with Blue Bird LPG school buses, resulting in district savings that can find their way into the classroom.”

The school buses are equipped with ROUSH CleanTech LPG fuel systems. “Autogas buses help districts lower their transportation budget by saving on fuel, fluids and filters,” said Ryan Zic, vice president of school bus sales for ROUSH CleanTech. “Districts get all the emission-reducing benefits while also saving costs so that budgets can go to educating students and paying teachers.”

Additional savings are available thanks to the extension of the federal alternative fuel excise credit, which covers LPG at 36 cents per U.S. gallon and LPG fuelling equipment up to $30,000 per property. VW Environmental Mitigation Trust and diesel replacement funds can also help districts with Autogas bus purchases.

More than 1.2 million students across the U.S. ride to school in Autogas buses, making it the fastest growing nationwide segment of pupil transportation. For more information, please check this link.

4 March 2020