CHICAGO — Chicago Public Schools will start the school year with 25 new Blue Bird Propane-Powered Vision school buses, thanks to a recent purchase by Sunrise Transportation.

With a fleet of more than 350 buses, Sunrise transports about 5,000 children on 400-plus routes. The purchase of the propane buses will enable the contractor to offer the students and community of Chicago environmentally friendly transportation while delivering operational savings, officials said.

“We are thrilled to provide students in Chicago with safe school transportation that produces virtually zero emissions,” said Greg Bonnett, president and co-founder of Sunrise Transportation. “We did our homework when evaluating alternative-fuel school buses. With a Propane-Powered Vision demo bus provided by our local dealer, Central States Bus Sales, we were able to drive and experience firsthand the advantages of propane autogas."

Bonnett said that another factor in Sunrise's decision to buy the propane buses was speaking with transportation directors across the country and consistently hearing about year-over-year operational savings, ease of maintenance, simplistic infrastructure and environmental benefits.

“We are delighted that Sunrise Transportation has chosen our Blue Bird Propane-Powered Vision school bus after thoroughly testing its capabilities,” said Phil Horlock, president and CEO of Blue Bird Corp. “Blue Bird school buses fueled by propane autogas reduce emissions, lower operating costs, decrease noise and make use of an abundant, domestic alternative fuel. The Propane-Powered Vision is a smart choice for any contractor and school district, and we have thousands of these buses on the road to prove that fact.”

According to Blue Bird, customers can expect to save $3,000 to $3,500 in fuel costs per year for each Propane-Powered Vision operated.

Sunrise will install a 2,000-gallon propane autogas fueling station on its property. Drivers, service technicians and other transportation personnel will receive comprehensive training by Central States Bus Sales, Blue Bird, ROUSH CleanTech and propane autogas provider AmeriGas.