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FORT VALLEY, Ga. — Blue Bird Corp. reported on Monday that more than 5,000 of its school buses equipped with 2010 selective catalytic reduction (SCR) technology have been sold.

The manufacturer’s buses use Cummins engines with SCR to meet the U.S. EPA’s 2010 emissions standards. Blue Bird said that the solution is being met with “rave reviews.”

In Indiana, Community School Corp. of Eastern Hancock County purchased a Blue Bird Vision to test the SCR technology firsthand.

“Our 2010 Vision has proven itself,” said Carl Ingram, director of transportation for the district. “With the SCR technology, we expected to see some additional efficiency in fuel economy, but we were blown away when we continuously calculated the bus was getting approximately 11.5 miles per gallon.”

He noted that the district’s routes primarily cover rural, hilly terrain.

“With SCR being utilized in Europe for many years, I knew the technology was safe and proven,” Ingram said. “However, we didn’t realize the magnitude of savings that our Blue Bird Vision provides — it’s substantial.”

Blue Bird said that other school districts and contractors across North America have also been reporting fuel economy advantages with the SCR technology.