MENU
SEARCHWalk through this exclusive tour of the St. Francis Area Schools’ transportation department, led by Peggy Tesdahl, the district’s transportation supervisor. Explore their bus garage, parking lot, and propane station while learning how the district operates its propane fleet. Learn about the success of their propane buses, unique mechanic feeder program, and insights into the industry at large.
All photos by Amanda Huggett
Most of the routes St. Francis buses go on are in rural Minnesota, about an hour north of the Twin Cities.
Photo: Amanda Huggett
St. Francis may not offer an incentive for its drivers, but they do offer benefits. Tesdahl says that this is the first year they haven’t had a driver shortage.
Photo: Amanda Huggett
One program Tesdahl is proud of is the mechanic feeder program. Through the high school shop class, students take the last hour of the day to work on the buses. The program aims to interest more students in a shop trade and train them with the hopes of hiring them.
Photo: Amanda Huggett
Like many other districts, St. Francis has experienced challenges in their shop, with a shortage of mechanics and parts, and delayed deliveries for needed equipment.
Photo: Amanda Huggett
Two high school students work as bus washers four nights a week and get the buses squeaky clean in this stall attached to the shop.
Photo: Amanda Huggett
In 2025, Tesdahl hopes to purchase some more new buses and begin a plan to rotate new purchases into the fleet.
Photo: Amanda Huggett
The district employs 55 licensed bus drivers, 20 educational assistants, five mechanics, two route specialists, plus the transportation supervisor.
Photo: Amanda Huggett
One other reason the St. Francis team likes their propane buses is because they heat up faster, even when it’s not driving, which saves on fuel in the long-run. The only drawback they’ve noted is that fueling can take longer to begin in the colder months, sometimes up to three minutes for it to start flowing.
Photo: Amanda Huggett
The district has an 18k gallon propane tank on site for easy filling. They pre-pay for fuel to lock in the best rates for a year.
Photo: Amanda Huggett
St. Francis Area Schools ditched diesel entirely almost 10 years ago in 2015. Now, their full-size route buses are entirely run on propane. They made the switch due to the changes in diesel at the time and wanting to operate cleaner, quieter buses. It took them about three months to make the transition using a federal rebate.
Photo: Amanda Huggett
The district’s fleet is made up of 75 school buses, 15 of which are Type 3. They use Zonar GPS on board, which the sub drivers love.
Photo: Amanda Huggett
Thanks to the mechanic feeder program, St. Francis Area Schools has a part-time evening mechanic and a recent grad working as a full-time night mechanic.
Photo: Amanda Huggett
St. Francis uses the First Light Safety Products illuminated stop-arm, which they love. Tesdahl says it leaves no doubt that it’s a school bus and not a garbage truck for other drivers in the dark.
Photo: Amanda Huggett
The only non-propane buses at the district are a few white activity buses, which are powered by gasoline.
Photo: Amanda Huggett
Peggy Tesdahl started in her role as transportation supervisor in 2022.
Photo: Amanda Huggett
