Blue Bird dealer Cardinal Bus Sales hosted an event last week at ROUSH CleanTech headquarters for nearly 30 Ohio school district representatives to extol the benefits of using propane autogas.
The representatives boarded the 77-passenger Blue Bird propane-powered Vision bus to experience first-hand what it feels like to ride clean with a domestically produced alternative fuel.
The tour of ROUSH headquarters included a 300-mile round trip ride between Lima, Ohio, and Livonia, Mich., on a school bus fueled by propane. They toured both the emissions testing dynamometer lab and the manufacturing facility to examine the assembly and quality control processes for the propane system’s fuel rails, fuel tanks and Blue Bird engine builds, as well as other divisions of ROUSH Enterprises, including Jack Roush’s personal car collection and the assembly shop where the famed ROUSH Mustang is built.
“After spending a day with ROUSH CleanTech learning about alternative fuels for school transportation, I have decided propane autogas is the way to go,” said Michael Wilson, transportation supervisor for Shawnee Schools in Lima. “If I would have known then what I know now, I would likely be taking delivery of a propane powered bus this month instead of a diesel.”
Phil Horlock, president and CEO of Blue Bird Corporation, welcomed the announcement by Shawnee Schools and noted that switching from diesel to propane saves money while cleaning up the air.
“Blue Bird couldn’t be more pleased that Shawnee Schools fully recognizes the savings from using our propane-powered school buses,” Horlock said. “Together with Cardinal Bus Sales, [we] look forward to providing Shawnee Schools with all the propane buses they need.”
Developed through Blue Bird and ROUSH CleanTech’s partnership, the next-generation propane-powered Vision reduces carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxide and total hydrocarbon emissions and virtually eliminates particulate matter when compared to conventionally fueled school buses. These school buses meet stringent Environmental Protection Agency and California Air Resources Board certification standards.
Propane usage is spreading in many states beyond Ohio, including California, Indiana, West Virginia, Texas, Oregon and Arizona.
