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Newsby StaffJune 4, 2013

Arizona district adds 61 Blue Bird propane buses to fleet

Mesa Public Schools has purchased 55 Blue Bird Propane-Powered Vision school buses and six wheelchair accessible buses to increase its propane bus total to 89. The district, which has a goal of operating the nation’s first all-propane yellow bus fleet, expects to save $4.43 million in operating costs over a five-year period.

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ArticlesCover Storyby Kelly AguinaldoMay 14, 2013

How to maximize staff safety around alt-fuel buses

From fueling training to regular tank inspection to a properly equipped maintenance facility, there are many factors to consider when operating school buses on propane autogas and compressed natural gas to ensure employees’ well-being. Industry officials discuss these and other components, along with the built-in safety features of some of today’s buses.

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Newsby StaffMay 7, 2013

Propane buses save Indiana district 50% on fuel costs

Tippecanoe School Corp. purchased five Propane-Powered Blue Bird Vision school buses last year, and Director of Transportation Kevin Neafie says the district pays nearly half the price for propane compared to diesel, and that so far, the operation has saved $10,000 on these five buses alone.

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Articlesby StaffMarch 19, 2013

Horlock points to growth in propane business for Blue Bird

With Blue Bird recently netting its biggest-ever order of propane school buses — more than 400 — President and CEO Phil Horlock is ebullient about the fuel’s potential. Here, he discusses alternative fuels, the state of school bus sales and other pertinent topics.

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NewsMarch 14, 2013

Pupil transporter, alt-fuel advocate Mike McClung passes

McClung, who served in the transportation department at Northside Independent School District in San Antonio from 1977 to 2000, passed away on March 9 at the age of 65. McClung was a longtime supporter of using alternative fuels to power school buses, and he was instrumental in converting the district’s fleet from diesel to propane.

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ArticlesFebruary 12, 2013

Transportation consortiums cut costs and boost training

Genesee Intermediate School District’s transportation consortiums provide service to special-needs and career/technical students in 21 districts. Route, bus maintenance and other efficiencies have saved participating districts $42.4 million since 1997, while service continues to expand. Driver training is extensive.

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Newsby StaffJanuary 23, 2013

Texas districts see cost savings from propane buses

Dallas County Schools is among the school systems in the state running buses on the fuel, and it reportedly saves about $500,000 annually with the $0.50-per-gallon tax credit. Officials from the Propane Council of Texas say that with the recent extension of alternative-fuel tax credits, districts will be able to save more money this year.

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Articlesby Thomas McMahonJanuary 22, 2013

David Anderson named SBF's Administrator of the Year

The director of transportation and fleet service at Colorado's Adams 12 Five Star Schools has orchestrated adjustments to school bell times to make busing more efficient, for an overall savings of $900,000. He has also set up mechanic apprenticeship programs to help young people enter the field.

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Newsby StaffJanuary 9, 2013

Mo. district sees cost savings from propane buses

The eight Blue Bird Propane-Powered Vision school buses have been in operation at Fort Zumwalt School District since last June. The district’s chief financial officer says the district is saving “around 18.9 cents per mile due to lower fuel costs,” and officials anticipate that the buses will save the district “approximately $18,000 this school year.”

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Newsby StaffJanuary 7, 2013

Ariz. district buys 13 propane school buses

Glendale Elementary School District acquires six Blue Bird propane buses and seven Collins propane buses — the district's first powered by the alternative fuel. Canyon State Bus Sales' Phil Polizzatto calls the district's decision "both financially and environmentally responsible."

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