Blue Bird and ROUSH CleanTech’s recent case study on New York’s Washingtonville Central School District’s usage of Blue Bird buses equipped with ROUSH CleanTech propane autogas fuel systems finds that the district spent about 30% less on maintenance for the autogas portion of its fleet and will eliminate about 120,000 lbs. of carbon dioxide per bus from its carbon footprint during the lifetime of the vehicles.

The district transports more than 5,000 students to 28 Orange County area schools, according to the case study. Of its 89-bus fleet, 18 buses are fueled by propane autogas. The buses travel an average of 450 miles per week, or 18,000 miles per school year, and during the summer, the district transports students to camps and on day trips.

Washingtonville was able to accomplish its goal of recouping the 9% higher cost of the autogas buses, compared with the same diesel model, through immediate savings on fuel and routine maintenance expenses, the case study reports. On average, the school district spends 40% to 45% less per gallon for autogas than diesel. Currently, it pays $1.70 for autogas and $3.18 for diesel. The district completes routine maintenance, such as oil and filter changes, every 7,500 miles on their autogas buses, compared to every 5,500 miles for their diesel buses. Each service costs, on average, 5 cents per mile for autogas and 13 cents per mile for diesel.

The study also reports that Washingtonville was the first district in the county to purchase buses fueled by autogas. Additionally, the district has ordered nine more autogas school buses for the 2014-15 school year, according to the case study.
 
To read full case study, click here.