ATHENS, Ontario — Howard Bus Service has taken delivery of the first six IC Bus CE Series gasoline-powered school buses in the Canadian market.

The bus is designed to make ownership more affordable and to provide easier maintenance for school districts and contractors, according to the school bus manufacturer. It utilizes Power Solutions International’s 8.8L V8 gasoline engine, paired with commercial-grade transmissions.

“The opportunity to be among the first to operate an IC Bus gasoline school bus is an honor,” said Dale Howard, owner of Howard Bus Service. “In our experience, gasoline engines generally start easier and are more affordable and simpler to maintain than diesel engines. We are confident that the IC Bus CE Series gasoline-powered buses will help us provide our customers the most economical, reliable, and safe transportation.”

“IC Bus is proud to partner with Howard Bus Service to help them meet their transportation needs,” said Trish Reed, vice president and general manager of IC Bus. “With the start of a new school year approaching, this is an exciting time for our customers throughout North America who can count on their CE Series gasoline school buses to reliably and safely transport their students to and from school.”

Howard Bus Service has been transporting students to and from school since 1955 and has been an IC Bus customer doing business with Leeds Transit, the first IC Bus dealer in Canada, since 1970.