CINCINNATI — First Student, Inc., the largest provider of school transportation in North America, has received the delivery of 134 propane autogas school buses. The CLEANFUEL USA and Collins buses will provide bus service to Seattle Public Schools and Portland Public Schools.
The purchase of the buses was made possible through a grantprovided by the Department of Energy (DOE) and theAmerican Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), as part of a national effort to establish networks of propane autogas refueling stations and incentivize the use of propane powered vehicles. First Student received a grant of $890,000 toward the purchase of 89 buses placed in service for Portland Public Schools and $450,000 for 45 buses to be used in Seattle.
“These buses greatly benefit the school systems by providing lower operating costs and reduced emissions, said Cal Hull, First Student senior vice president. “We are proud of our relationship with Seattle and Portland Public Schools and we look forward to providing the best in school bus services.”
The Collins propane powered NEXBUS used by First Student is Collins’ latest design, offering superior strength and safety through innovative features such as high-strength tube steel roof bows and increased driver visibility. The propane autogas fuel system was developed in partnership with CleanFUEL USA and has obtained certification from both the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the California Air Resources Board.
Propane autogas is the third most widely used transportation fuel globally, behind gasoline and diesel, and is proven to be a more attractive option from an economic and environmental standpoint. As the lowest greenhouse gas emitting fuel, propane autogas averages 40 to 50 percent less emissions than gasoline and diesel per gallon.