Propane Micro Bird hits the market
The Type A bus from Blue Bird is fully certified and rolling off the line. Meanwhile, a transportation director in New York gives high marks for his propane buses’ performance.

Blue Bird reports that its new Propane-Powered Micro Bird Type A bus is fully certified and rolling off the line.
FORT VALLEY, Ga. — The new Propane-Powered Micro Bird is fully certified and rolling off the line, Blue Bird announced.
The Type A bus underwent extensive testing and evaluation in 2010 and is fully compliant with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards, the manufacturer reported.
Blue Bird said that the Propane-Powered Micro Bird, which is built with an exclusive standard 43-gallon fuel tank, offers fuel range of up to 320 miles.
The Type A joins the Propane-Powered Vision Type C and the CNG-Powered All American Type D in Blue Bird’s lineup of alternative-fuel buses.
Fred Prince, director of transportation for Wayne Central School District in Ontario Center, N.Y., said that his district’s propane-powered Blue Birds have operated “flawlessly.”
“With four Blue Bird propane-powered buses in the fleet and 22,000 miles on each bus, we have had zero mechanical issues,” Prince said. “Even when the temperatures drop well below freezing, our Blue Bird propane-powered buses start perfectly.”
Prince also noted that the district’s drivers enjoy operating the buses, which he said are quieter than their diesels and operate with significantly more power.
More Alternative Fuels

CALSTART and Forth Combine to Form Catalyst Mobility
The new name represents a renewed vision for the nonprofit focused on advancing clean, equitable, and affordable transportation solutions that move people and goods.
Read More →
Alt-Fuel Moves: New Buses, Charging Hubs & Real-World EV Testing
Propane and electric school bus deployments continue to grow as districts add new vehicles, expand charging infrastructure, and gather more real-world operating data.
Read More →
Fewer Electric School Bus Models Reshape the U.S. Market
WRI’s latest buyer’s guide points to a consolidating electric school bus market, but fewer options may reflect a maturing industry rather than fewer meaningful choices for school bus operators.
Read More →
The Fuel Budget You Can Actually Predict: How Propane Autogas Keeps Money in the Classroom
Learn how propane autogas helps school districts manage fuel costs with predictable pricing, lower maintenance, and reduced emissions from former transportation director Joel Stutheit.
Read More →
Hendrickson, Driventic Introduce New Electric Powertrain for School Buses
ELECTRAAX, the electrified, lightweight drive axle offers integrated ePowertrain efficiency and modular flexibility for Class 6–7 school bus use.
Read More →
The Mobility House Joins PowerFlex in Fleet Electrification Deal
The acquisition combines intelligent charging software, bidirectional charging expertise, and fleet electrification services to support the growing adoption of electric school buses across North America.
Read More →
Alt-Fuel Moves: Electric School Bus Investments Hit the Road
See which districts across the U.S. are putting electric school buses into service, expanding charging infrastructure, and planning the next phase of fleet electrification.
Read More →
With Fuel Volatility Ahead, School Districts Turn to Propane
While diesel prices peaked above $5 this spring, districts with propane autogas-powered fleets paid under $2 per gallon, according to PERC.
Read More →
EPA Unveils Proposed Changes to 2027 Heavy-Duty Engine Rules
The federal agency has proposed changes to next year’s targets that would eliminate DEF derates, ease warranty requirements, and retain current NOx emissions standards.
Read More →
Alt-Fuel Moves: EV Charging & Infrastructure Projects Gain Momentum
The latest developments include new funding, charging infrastructure, utility investments, and fleet technologies designed to support the transition to electric school buses nationwide.
Read More →
