OAK CREEK, Wis. — GO Riteway marked the purchase of 10 new Blue Bird Propane-Powered Vision school buses and 10 Micro Bird propane autogas buses for Oak Creek-Franklin Joint School District at an open house on Wednesday.  

GO Riteway transports 5,500 Oak Creek students each day.

“Congratulations to the citizens of Oak Creek, who will benefit from cleaner air and lower fuel costs with this safe and reliable alternative fuel in their school buses,” said Ron Bast, president of GO Riteway. “Over their lifetime, these school buses will release 1.6 million fewer pounds of carbon dioxide emissions in your community.”

The open house attracted many local officials, including Dr. Sara Burmeister, Oak Creek’s school superintendent, and Steven Kurkowski, alderman for Oak Creek. A fueling demonstration allowed participants to learn firsthand the ease and quick speed of refueling a school bus with propane autogas, officials said.

GO Riteway has won many awards for its clean fleet initiatives, including the National School Transportation Association’s Go Yellow, Go Green award; the American Bus Association’s Green Operator Award; and Green Fleet’s Sustainability All-Star award.

“School districts around the nation are eager for cleaner, lower emissions solutions that also work with their budgets,” said Phil Horlock, president and CEO of Blue Bird Corp. “The Blue Bird Propane-Powered Vision and Micro Bird meet these needs, with lower fuel and maintenance costs, decreased noise and environmental benefits. Blue Bird’s propane-powered buses are a smart choice for any contractor or school district.”

The 78-passenger Blue Bird Propane-Powered Visions and 30-passenger Micro Bird buses meet all applicable school bus Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards, EPA and California Air Resources Board certifications, and use the latest advancements in alternative fuel technology, including the ROUSH CleanTech liquid propane autogas fuel system and the Ford 6.8-liter engine.

The buses, which are fully customizable, emit 60% less carbon monoxide and up to 25% less greenhouse gases when compared to gasoline.

GO Riteway has operated propane autogas vehicles in its airport shuttle fleet since 2011.