Over a decade ago, in 2012, Blue Bird and ROUSH CleanTech partnered on the original Blue Bird Vision bus equipped with a ROUSH CleanTech propane fuel system. Now, 15 years later, that same propane school bus has continually operated in the Boys and Girls Club of Martin County’s day-to-day activities since 2014.
The 2012 model year bus, the first of its kind, initially served as a demo bus for Florida Transportation Systems before it was purchased in 2014 by Florida’s Boys and Girls Club of Martin County. Since then, it has served as a critical component of their mission to provide after-school and summer programs for area youth.
The Boys and Girls Club’s initial decision to invest in propane technology stemmed from its commitment to environmental responsibility and economic efficiency. With the success of the first bus, the Boys and Girls Club purchased a second Blue Bird Vision Propane bus in 2015. Both propane buses continue to operate daily, transporting up to 70 students per trip from local schools to club facilities through Martin County.
Demonstrating the long-term value and reliability of propane bus transportation, the Boys and Girls Club’s continued use of the first propane bus off the assembly line — which has accumulated 65,000 miles while maintaining performance — also shows the durability and value of propane technology in school transportation. The Boys and Girls Club maintains its propane buses through general maintenance protocols, with mechanical work performed at FTS. Propane fuel costs remain competitive, with on-site fueling provided through a contract with Palmdale Como.
Since the inception of ROUSH CleanTech 15 years ago, we’ve been working to create safe, reliable and environmentally friendly propane systems for school buses. All ROUSH CleanTech propane products are certified to the ultra-low NOx level of 20 mg/bhp-hr. This standard offering is 90% cleaner than the current EPA standard for NOx and 99% cleaner in NOx than diesel vehicles built before 2007.
Seeing customers like the Boys and Girls Club and the enduring success they’re having with propane buses is a testament to the durability and value of propane technology in school transportation. Including this first propane bus off the production line, there are more than 23,000 propane school buses equipped with ROUSH CleanTech fuel systems operating across North America.
For 15 years, we’ve built a foundation of transparency in our operations, clarity in our products, and enduring relationships with our customers and partners. This has led to many success stories, saving school districts and operators more than $100 million annually in fuel costs while also significantly reducing harmful emissions for children, drivers and surrounding communities.
Todd Mouw is executive vice president of ROUSH CleanTech, an industry leader of advanced clean vehicle technology. Mouw has more than two decades of experience in the automotive and high-tech industries. As former president of the NTEA Green Truck Association, Mouw helped set standards in the green trucking industry. To learn more, visit ROUSHcleantech.com.