GEORGETOWN, Texas –– November 14, 2012 – CleanFUEL USA and Collins Bus Corporation today announced the delivery of 134 propane autogas school buses to First Student, Inc., the largest provider of student transportation services in North America. The buses will be used by First Student to provide bus service to Seattle Public Schools and Portland Public Schools.
The purchase of the buses was made possible through a grant provided by the Department of Energy (DOE) and the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), as part of a national effort to establish networks of propane autogas refueling stations and incentivize the use of propane powered vehicles. Through this effort, the DOE estimates millions of gallons of petroleum will be displaced annually, thereby reducing the country’s dependence on imported petroleum products. First Student received a grant of $890,000 toward the purchase of 89 buses placed in service for Portland Public Schools and $450,000 for 45 buses to be used in Seattle.
The Collins propane powered NEXBUS used by First Student is Collins’ latest design, offering superior strength and safety through innovative features such as high-strength tube steel roof bows and increased driver visibility. The NEXBUS is Altoona tested and certified and meets or exceeds all Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) certifications for school transportation, including the highest standards for fuel system integrity. The bus is built on a dual rear-wheel GM chassis, utilizing the GM 6.0 liter engine. It exhibits an estimated range in excess of 300 miles and is available in capacities up to 32 passengers. The propane autogas fuel system was developed in partnership with CleanFUEL USA and has obtained certification from both the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the California Air Resources Board.
CleanFUEL USA, along with the DOE, Collins Bus Corporation and First Student, will hold a check presentation and media event for the Portland and Seattle Public Schools at Jefferson High School in Portland on Thursday, November 15 at 10 a.m. PST. The event is open to the public.
Propane autogas is the third most widely used transportation fuel globally, behind gasoline and diesel, and is proven to be a more attractive option from an economic and environmental standpoint. As the lowest greenhouse gas emitting fuel, propane autogas averages 40 to 50 percent less emissions than gasoline and diesel per gallon. There are more than 52,000 propane autogas refueling stations and 17 million propane-powered vehicles worldwide.
Rick Wallace, Columbia-Willamette Clean Cities
John Doswell, Collins Bus Corp
Mark Karney, General Motors
Tucker Perkins, PERC
Teri Brady, Portland Public Schools
Cal Hull, First Student
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