“We decided to look at an alternative fuel bus due to the escalating price of diesel and our District’s desire to protect the environment. The upfront cost of a hybrid or CNG was completely out of reach for our District. But the purchase price of the propane bus was both economically feasible on the front end, and the price differential in fuel costs over the life of the bus, made it even more attractive. In addition, we learned that the upfront costs of installing a compressed gas fueling station would run between $300,000 to $400,000 in comparison to a few thousand dollars to pour a slab and run electricity for propane and have a local vendor deliver fuel to us.”
Doug Maxwell, Finance Director
USD 265 Goddard

Propane -- Safe, Quiet, Economical with a Domestic Fuel Source

Click here for news story about Goddard USD 265's propane buses.

We took delivery of our first propane bus in March 2011. It’s more economical than diesel; it’s clean and runs quiet. With a fuel range of 250 miles, it’s perfect for a route bus. Several on our BOE remember the safety hazards and problems with regulators, pressure valves, etc. on propane powered farm equipment of past years. The Roush propane fuel system is COMPLETELY DIFFERENT. My driver loves it! If she has to pull over on to a grassy shoulder for disciplinary reasons, she doesn’t worry about the bus catching on fire due to heat from the diesel engine.
Riley Allaman, Transportation Director, USD 467, Leoti

We took delivery on two propane route buses this summer, a 65-passenger and a 53-passenger, and we LOVE them both! First, we were able to work with an in-district fuel provider – a business that not only supports our school with taxes, but with donations, too. I wasn’t interested in dealing with the urea equipment required on diesel buses to meet emission standards.
Bob Tatum, Transportation Director, USD 462 Central, Burden, KS

Gary Menke, Director of Purchasing, USD 501 Topeka, and Peggy Clark, Transportation Director, USD 501 Topeka, say that after almost three years they still love their propane bus!