The nation’s largest single order of propane-powered school buses was completed on Wednesday with the delivery of the Blue Bird Vision to the Omaha, Neb., area.
A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held at a new facility run by contractor Student Transportation of America, which provides school bus service for Omaha Public Schools and Millard Public Schools.
Earlier this year, STA placed an order for 434 Propane-Powered Visions, and in delivery of the school buses began in April. STA operates an interlocal transportation agreement between the two school districts, which Gov. Dave Heinemen said he is hopeful will provide long-term, fuel-cost savings that can be reinvested into the classroom.
“This is a monumental day for our company, for Omaha and the great state of Nebraska,” said Denis J. Gallagher, chairman and CEO of Student Transportation, Inc., the parent company of STA. “We commend the leaders of the Omaha and Millard public schools for their commitment to reduce the districts’ carbon dioxide emissions by nearly 2.5 million pounds each year. They will serve as model communities in which private enterprise and public education partner to create a world-class, environmentally friendly transportation system.”
David Prince, GM of STA’s new 15,000-square-foot facility in North Omaha, was flanked by other dignitaries while cutting the ribbon as the last Vision in the order was parked in the background. STA also announced plans to build an additional $3 million hub on 8.5 acres nearby that will employ 220 personnel and will house future propane tanks onsite. STA is under a long-term contract with Sapp Bros. Petroleum Inc. of Omaha to supply the alternative fuel.
The Blue Bird Propane-Powered Vision is equipped with a ROUSH CleanTech liquid propane-autogas system and a Ford 6.8L V10 engine. It left Blue Bird’s factory in Fort Valley, Ga., last week on a propane-awareness tour and made stops in Nashville, Tenn., and St. Louis before reaching Omaha. A film production documented the journey.
STA’s Gallagher said the new propane school buses will reduce fuel and maintenance costs. The fuel is domestically produced.
“The school bus fleets in many American school systems are aging, unsafe and less fuel-efficient than new buses,” he added. “But new vehicles require capital that local districts just don’t have. STA is uniquely positioned to assist school districts with the capital, and relationships with manufacturers needed to manage fleets of all sizes. We step in to purchase older vehicles and replace them with new, more fuel-efficient fleets.”
The school buses are expected to be put into immediate use for the coming school year.
