School District Considers Propane Bus Purchase

The Kings Park School District is considering the purchase of two propane-fueled buses to replace aging ones in its fleet.

A spokesperson from Blue Bird, a supplier propane buses school buses, laid out the benefits and features of propane fueled buses to the district’s board of education at the Tuesday evening meeting.

The district has expressed interest in buying a bus and a van this year. Other Long Island schools districts such as Riverhead and Roslyn have added propane buses to its fleet.

According to the company’s spokesperson, the initial cost of a propane bus would be about $10,000 more than a traditional diesel fueled bus, which the district uses now. Cost in fuel for propane is about $1.50 to $1.75 cheaper per gallon than diesel and are considered low emission vehicles. The lowered fuel cost reflects a .50 cent tax credit that the district would be eligible for.

“We are looking into grants. We do get state aid on buses,” said Susan Agruso, district superintendent, who added that the district has budgeted for two replacement buses.

Mechanics would receive free training from Blue Bird on maintaining the buses and no alterations would be needed for the district's existing shop. The buses come with a 5-year/100,000 mile warranty. Buses can be fueled on site by propane delivery trucks.

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