OAK BROOK, Ill. — School bus company Cook-Illinois Corp. is quadrupling its current fleet of propane autogas school buses for next year and, for the first time ever, has not purchased any diesel buses.

Cook-Illinois’ most recent order includes 50 Saf-T-Liner C2 units from Thomas Built Buses, equipped with CleanFUEL USA Liquid Propane Injection systems.

Roger Bannerman, the fleet director for Cook-Illinois Corp., said that the district is experiencing a significant return on investment on its propane buses.

Additionally, regarding maintenance, “It has been a great experience with no big repairs, and we follow our normal preventative maintenance schedules with no additional work,” he said.

In addition to saving time and money on maintenance costs and improved cold-weather starting, the low cost of fuel and infrastructure influenced Cook-Illinois’ decision to expand its propane bus fleet.

“Paying $1.29 for propane autogas and the ease of setting up infrastructure onsite convinced us to switch,” Bannerman added.    

“Cook-Illinois recognizes the immense benefits that propane autogas buses offer,” said Curtis Donaldson, founder and president of CleanFUEL USA. “We are thrilled to partner with Thomas Built in providing Cook-Illinois with the best school bus transportation option on the market.”