INDIANAPOLIS — IC Bus is fulfilling an order from the Indianapolis Public Schools for 100 CE Series school buses.

The buses, which are powered by the Power Solutions International (PSI) 8.8-liter LP propane engine, will be delivered by Midwest Transit Equipment, the IC Bus dealer in Whitestown, Indiana.

This is the largest propane bus order to date for IC Bus.

As previously reported, the buses will also be equipped with three-point seat belts, onboard video surveillance systems, and GPS tracking capability. The buses will be equipped with IC Bus' BTI seating system, and will include IMMI's SafeGuard seat belts. 

“We are excited to refresh nearly half of our fleet with the propane powered CE Series buses and look forward to seeing the benefit of using an alternative, clean-burning fuel to transport our students safely and on time,” said Monica Coburn, transportation director for Indianapolis Public Schools.

“I applaud this initiative because it’s truly a decision that puts the well being of our students first,” said Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett.

“IC Bus is proud to partner with Indianapolis Public Schools and we look forward to helping them with their transportation needs for this school year and beyond,” said Trish Reed, vice president and general manager at IC Bus. “Additionally, this order demonstrates our customers’ continued confidence in our products and acknowledges the significant benefits of our propane engine offering.”

Purpose-built for the school bus industry, the CE Series with PSI propane engine is designed to provide diesel-like performance with higher torque at lower engine speeds. As previously reported, the high torque-low speed design was created to benefit stop-and-start applications to allow immediate acceleration after stops and greater hill climbing capability.

The buses are being built at the IC Bus assembly plant in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Deliveries began in June 2016 and will be complete this summer in time for back-to-school transportation needs in the 2016-17 school year.