After running propane-autogas school buses for six years, the Seguin Independent School District estimates a 33-percent savings on fuel costs, in addition to helping reduce harmful greenhouse gas emissions.
The school district, one of more than 75 in the state that operates buses on propane, said it uses approximately 71,950 gallons of the alternative fuel each year, and has installed one on-site fueling station. To date, the school district has 28 propane school buses in its 85-bus fleet. The remainder of the buses are diesel powered.
The biggest selling point for Seguin ISD to use propane autogas? “The fact that the fuel burns a lot cleaner than diesel, which means cleaner air for the students and community of Seguin,” added Seguin ISD’s Transportation Director Phia Rigney.
She said that the district plans to continue purchasing propane-powered buses.
“The preventative maintenance saves money because propane buses use less oil, and can go longer between oil changes,” Rigney explained.
According to the Propane Council of Texas, currently there are more than 2,000 propane-powered buses across the state. The agency expects that number to continue to grow, mainly due to national and statewide incentive programs that help districts save money when they purchase propane yellow buses, receive rebates on fuel purchasing and build the infrastructure for fueling stations.
In the case of Seguin ISD, it took part in both a Railroad Commission of Texas incentive program and the 50-cent-per-gallon alternative fuel tax credit from the federal government. With the initial reimbursement for the purchase of propane buses and the rebate on fuel, Seguin ISD has saved $500,000 since 2008, according to Propane Council of Texas officials.
Seguin ISD’s story is part of The Propane Council of Texas public awareness campaign “Propane Autogas: Fueling Texas” that has traveled across the state.
