It’s a pilot project now involving ten buses in the Glenvar area, but if all goes as planned Roanoke County will eventually convert its entire school bus fleet to models that run on propane – cheaper than diesel and more environmentally friendly. Propane fuel currently qualifies for a federal tax credit as well. The county has almost 200 buses out on routes at any one time and would replace the diesel models with propane-fueled buses as they age out.
County school officials say the propane models run around $100,000 each – about ten thousand more than diesel models. Director of Operations and Construction Marty Misicko said at a ribbon cutting recently that they project a payback within two years on that difference with the fuel savings.
School Board Chairman David Wymmer called it a milestone. “This is an opportunity for us to use our tax dollars wisely in terms of providing transportation for our students. It’s more cost effective and eco-friendly.”
Wymmer said research showed 22% less carbon-based emissions from propane buses when compared to diesel.
Wymmer also said going propane was something that had been on the drawing board for several years. The buses are made by Bluebird; locally Carter Machinery is the distributor. Wymmer added that propane buses are “much quieter” than models that have engines powered by diesel.
Misicko said older buses will be sold as surplus and replaced with propane-fueled models as they age out, assuming the pilot project is successful. A one year analysis of the savings will also take place, tracking lower fuel costs on the Glenvar rollout, and any other savings. “If everything goes well I think the School Board will start adopting propane buses as an alternative to what we are using now … as we replace buses every year.”
Misicko also said Roanoke County was the first school district in the region to begin a transition to propane buses. “A lot of other folks are going to be looking at the research we do [to] see if it is actually successful.”
By Gene Marrano
