School Bus Fleet, January 2018

Learn more at blue bird com 2018 Blue Bird Corporation The Future of Alternative Fueled BusesDiesel technology has advanced in regards to emissions reductions over the years So much in fact that newer diesel buses do not produce nearly the same amount of harmful particulate matter that they used to Some have even used this fact to tout diesel as the next alternative fuel However diesel is still diesel and the emissions reduction seen is only due to the large number of after treatment components added to the system that help the bus produce fewer harmful emissions While the final emissions product may be cleaner getting there is very expensive Over time these maintenance costs will be seen by those who manage these fleets Alternative fuels have become a viable option but the first thing that comes to mind is the cost Many buses powered by alternative fuels tend to have a higher sticker price than a traditionally fueled diesel bus may have However its the cost over time that makes the difference Your Total Cost of Ownership or TCO is a factor that cannot be ignored especially when talking about school buses with a lifespan of 10 15 years So lets talk about an alternative fuel that is truly alternative and is fast becoming mainstream propane For those in the student transportation industry the use of propane technology to power school buses may not be unfamiliar During the past decade the industry has seen a noticeable increase in propane bus adoption in North America As a domestically sourced fuel propane offers many advantages to other fuel types with lower prices and affordable infrastructure it shows its value right away North America has embraced the power of propane Since 2014 almost 12000 propane buses have been deployed throughout the United States and Canada This has shown a noticeable decrease in particulate matter and NOx major contributors to air pollution and asthma symptoms in children and adults In fact these buses are responsible for preventing over 107 tons of particulate matter and 4700 tons of NOx out of the atmosphere per year The fourth generation of propane buses produced by Blue Bird are currently the cleanest engine available in the bus industry with a NOx certification of 005 And where do the savings come in The obvious answer is the cost per gallon of propane autogas fuel It historically costs 50 less than diesel and even with the fuel economy that propane buses achieve being less than diesel the cost savings are still noticeable Additionally there are over twenty 20 parts that the propane bus doesnt need to meet EPA emission standards diesel buses require to run clean Over time thats over twenty 20 parts that never need to be maintained or replaced The fourth generation propane buses produced by Blue Bird are also a great choice for school districts that are targeting the reduction of greenhouse gases With the cleanest engine currently in the industry these buses make great qualifiers for funding such as the Volkswagen settlement funding allowing districts to make the switch to a greener domestically produced fuel For districts who want to help reduce greenhouse gases as well as maintenance costs but have limited funding sources gasoline is a great fuel to consider for school buses Yes you read that correctly The new gasoline buses that are currently produced by Blue Bird use the same powertrain as the propane buses They have the same emissions system as a propane which is to say they dont require all of the after treatment that diesels require to keep them running clean When comparing fuel types they are a fantastic choice for those who want to make a positive impact on air quality without diving deep into their wallets They also are a great match for districts currently running propane that are looking for an alternative for their trip buses Utilizing the same maintenance components and maintenance schedules this is a great way to standardize your fleet Alternative fuels not only help the environment but also the bottom line for school districts who wish to put more money back into the classroom For more information on alternatively fueled buses visit www blue bird com today SCHOOL BUSBlue Birds Propane Buses remove107 TONS OF PARTICULATE MATTER 4700 TONS OF NOxfrom the atmosphere per year ADVERTISEMENT