Success Stories: Clean School Buses Across the Country
Success Stories
In 130 school districts across 17 states, children ride alternative-fuel buses to school. Below, we describe five areas around the country where school districts are enjoying the cleaner air, lower costs, and high driver satisfaction of an alternative-fuel bus fleet.
Evansville-Vanderburgh, Indiana
The Evansville-Vanderburgh School Corporation has one of the largest natural gas school bus fleets in the nation, with 140 natural gas buses on the road. Due to the price instability of gasoline and diesel, the district started converting its gasoline buses to natural gas in 1986. With savings from reduced fuel and maintenance costs, the district recovered the conversion costs of the buses within the first year of operation. The chief garage group leader, Curtis Fritz, is very pleased with his natural gas fleet, reporting that drivers like the way the buses handle, maintenance and fuel costs are lower, and the distance between oil changes has doubled. Fritz says, "The drivers that were initially hesitant about switching to natural gas now love these buses. When they have to drive other [gasoline or diesel] buses, they scream that they want their natural gas buses back."
For more information, contact Curtis Fritz, chief garage group leader, Evansville-Vanderburgh School Corporation, at (812) 435-8269.
Lower Merion Schools, Ardmore, Pennsylvania
In response to community concerns about diesel engine noise and air pollution, the Lower Merion School District began purchasing natural gas buses in the mid-1990s. The district currently operates a fleet of 63 natural gas buses, for which it recently received the National Clean Cities Award. The reliability and durability of the fleet, which will soon pass the three-million-mile mark, has reinforced the district's commitment to purchasing only natural gas buses.
The school district has received funding and technical support from the U.S. Department of Energy, the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, and PECO Energy Company, a natural gas supplier. Mike Andre, supervisor of transportation for the district, is a strong advocate for the switch: "We really need...to change our perspectives about fuel. The U.S. government needs to start supporting alternative fuel."
For more information, contact Michael Andre, supervisor of transportation, Lower Merion School District, at (610) 645-1945.
Tulsa Public Schools, Tulsa, Oklahoma
The largest school district in the state, the Tulsa Public School District has 179 vehicles converted to natural gas. According to Larry Rodriquez, alternative fuel technician at the Tulsa Public School District, "The switch has probably saved the district around $1.6 million if one considers the fuel differential, engine longevity, and other matters. It has definitely been worth it." Even with the recent increase in the price of natural gas, fuel savings still average around $1,000 per year per vehicle based on 15,000 annual miles traveled per bus.
For more information, contact Larry Rodriquez, alternative fuels technician, Tulsa Public Schools, at (918) 831-2547.
Northside Independent School District, Northside, Texas
Northside Independent School District has the second largest fleet of propane school buses in the country and is committed to maintaining a 100 percent alternative-fuel fleet. Northside employs about 420 propane buses to carry 33,000 students to and from school every day, and the district plans to increase the fleet to 448 buses by 2005. Northside made the switch to propane nearly 20 years ago, motivated by the cheap price of propane relative to gasoline and diesel. Since propane comes from local sources, the district is not subject to the price fluctuations of other fuels. Northside has found that maintenance costs are low, gas mileage is good, and drivers are happy with the performance of the buses.
For more information, contact Randy Zanatta, transportation vehicle maintenance supervisor, Northside Independent School District, at (210) 695-3800.
The California Energy Commission's Safe School Bus Demonstration Program
The California Energy Commission's Safe School Bus Demonstration Program is paving the way to increase the percentage of alternative fuel vehicles in the state's school bus fleet. As a result of the program, 826 school buses built before 1977 have been replaced with cleaner buses. More than half of these buses are alternatively fueled—nearly 270 powered by natural gas and 150 by methanol—and all are equipped with advanced safety features. Partners John Deere, Blue Bird Body Company, Detroit Diesel Corporation, and Crown Coach are working to develop alternative-fuel school buses specifically designed to meet the needs of the School Bus Demonstration Program.
For more information, contact Bernard Treanton, associate engineer, Tranportation Technology Office, California Energy Commission, at (916) 654-4512.
