Township High School District 211 has added new Autogas buses to its fleet for the 2018-19 school year. The vehicles, Blue Bird Vision Propane Type C, reduce operating costs and help the school district lower its carbon footprint.

“District 211 strives to be green in as many areas as we can. Our new Autogas buses are one major way we can improve the air quality around our schools,” said Diana Mikelski, director of transportation for Township High School District 211.

Mikelski estimates that the new Autogas buses will collectively save approximately $15,000 per year in fuel costs alone. “We are reducing our transportation costs with these buses and the savings will be reallocated to other transportation initiatives,” Mikelski added. “Our taxpayers will be able to observe our goal to reduce pollution and operating costs, which saves dollars in the end.”

She also commented that the district plans to purchase more Autogas school buses once an annual replacement schedule has been determined, stating, “We chose Autogas buses because they give us the whole package — low maintenance and fuel costs, reliability in extreme temperatures and quiet operation.”

Equipped with Ford’s 6.8L V10 engine, the new buses, which run regular daily routes, will reduce nitrogen oxide emissions by almost 14,000 pounds and particulate matter by about 475 pounds each year compared with the diesel buses they replaced. Propane buses also virtually eliminate particulate matter when compared with conventional diesel. For more information, please check this link.

26 September 2018