Cleveland Schools Replaces 49 Diesel Buses with Economical and Clean Propane Autogas
Cleveland (PRWEB) May 15, 2014 -- Almost 50 buses fueled by clean-burning, affordable propane autogas will begin operation for the 2014/15 school year in the Cleveland Metropolitan School District.
Cleveland Schools, Ohio’s second largest school district, will replace 12- to 13-year-old diesel buses with Blue Bird’s Propane Vision buses.
A short return on investment, the ease of fueling, the low infrastructure cost and the unexpected benefit of lower electricity costs were reasons cited by the school district for the purchase of the propane autogas buses. The school district annually estimates about $50,000 in electrical costs for powering block heaters to start their diesel buses in cold weather. Blue Bird Propane Vision buses start up in temperatures as low as minus 40 degrees Fahrenheit.
“Blue Bird is committed to providing school districts with reliable, innovative and efficient green transportation solutions that are also favorable to a district’s bottom line,” said Phil Horlock, president and CEO of Blue Bird Corporation. “Like many districts, Cleveland Schools did the research and realized that propane autogas is the best choice for reducing fuel and maintenance costs while providing cleaner air for the community. This is a great decision by Cleveland Schools.”
The school district, which fuels all their buses at their bus depot, currently is adding an on-site autogas fueling station. Autogas infrastructure is less expensive to install than all other conventional and alternative transportation fuels. On average, autogas costs up to 50 percent less than diesel.
“Fueling buses with propane autogas offers the best total cost of ownership, giving school districts a viable alternative solution,” said Todd Mouw, vice president of sales and marketing for ROUSH CleanTech. “By choosing this safe, abundant and American-made fuel, school districts around the nation are slashing their operating costs and lowering their carbon footprint.”
The school district purchased the Type C school buses from Cardinal Bus Sales, Ohio’s Blue Bird dealer. Each bus is equipped with a ROUSH CleanTech propane autogas fuel system including 20 outfitted with wheelchair lifts. The buses are being delivered over the next two weeks.
In 2012, Clean Fuels Ohio recognized Cleveland Schools as a “three star green fleet” based on reductions in emissions and improved fuel efficiency. The new fleet of autogas buses will emit about 4 million fewer pounds of carbon dioxide into the environment over their lifetime.
About Blue Bird:
Blue Bird offers a complete line of Type A, C and D school buses in a variety of options and configurations. For more than 85 years, Blue Bird Corporation has continued to set industry standards with its innovative design and manufacturing capabilities. Additionally, Blue Bird provides comprehensive financial solutions through Blue Bird Capital Services. Today, Blue Bird has more than 1,500 employees, Georgia-based manufacturing facilities and an extensive network of Dealers, service and parts facilities throughout North America. Its global presence can be seen in more than 60 countries through sales into Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, Latin America, Europe and the Middle East. For more information, visit the Blue Bird Corporation web site at http://www.blue-bird.com.
About ROUSH CleanTech:
ROUSH CleanTech, an industry leader of alternative fuel vehicle technology, is a division of ROUSH Enterprises based in Livonia, Mich. ROUSH CleanTech designs, engineers, manufactures and installs propane autogas fuel system technology for light- and medium-duty Ford commercial vehicles, and Type A and Type C Blue Bird school buses. As a Ford QVM-certified alternative fuel vehicle manufacturer, ROUSH CleanTech delivers economical, clean and domestically produced fueling options for fleets across the country. Learn more at ROUSHCleanTech.com or by calling 800.59.ROUSH.
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Tracy Ruff, ROUSH CleanTech, http://www.ROUSHCleanTech.com, +1 (877) 411-3243 Ext: 809, [email protected]
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