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Every child deserves a safe, clean, and healthy ride to school. The way students get to and from school plays a crucial role in their daily lives, affecting not only their health but also their academic performance and overall experience. Propane is a safe, environmentally friendly, and affordable energy source that we can implement in transportation today to provide a better tomorrow for more students.
Currently, more than 22,000 propane school buses transport 1.3 million children across 1,000 school districts in 48 states. That includes North Penn School District, servicing the suburbs of Philadelphia. The Pennsylvania fleet already has more than 100 propane-powered school buses and plans to continue that growth until 100% of the 126-bus fleet is fully propane-operated in 2026. School districts like North Penn are investing in this clean-engine technology because propane buses are better for students, better for the environment, and better for school districts.
Better for Our Students
Propane-powered school buses are a gamechanger when it comes to student health, academic performance, and safety. Diesel buses, which have long dominated school transportation, emit harmful nitrogen oxides (NOx) and particulate matter that can trigger respiratory issues like asthma and bronchitis. In contrast, propane buses significantly reduce these emissions by up to 96%, providing a cleaner, healthier ride for students.
Dennis Ryan, the transportation coordinator at North Penn School District, said student health is the biggest reason why the district chose propane. “We did this for the students. It’s really satisfying to know that our students are on a clean bus,” he said.
In addition to being cleaner, the buses are also quieter than diesel. This not only provides a safer ride for students because drivers are able to more easily hear what’s going on inside and outside the bus, but teachers say students riding on propane buses arrive at school calmer and jump into learning mode faster. Research from Georgia State University also found students that ride on near-zero emissions buses, like propane autogas, had improved test scores.
Better for the Environment
Propane buses aren’t just better for the students; they also benefit the environment. Propane is a low-carbon energy source that reduces harmful emissions, accelerates decarbonization, and is non-toxic to groundwater and soil.
Many people ask why not electric buses? When considering electric vehicles’ impact on environmental and student health, we must consider the full lifecycle of emissions of the vehicle, including from the local electric grid. Over 60% of the U.S. electric grid is still powered by natural gas or coal, which have high carbon emissions. As demand on the grid rises, so will reliance on fuels like natural gas and coal, leading to greater negative environmental impact. Choosing clean propane buses reduces the impact to the environment and ensures environmental justice by not passing emissions upstream to communities most affected by poor air quality.
“I think that something like this — pushing your fleet to be a green fleet — is paramount not just for our school district and the community, but for everybody,” Ryan said. “We’re not just traveling around North Penn. Our green fleets are going to surrounding counties, too. Our lower emissions impact everybody. We want to get the message out there that these things matter. Having a vehicle, whether it’s a van or a bus, that’s clean for the environment is crucial.”
Financially Sound for School Districts
One of the most compelling reasons for school districts to consider propane buses is the significant cost savings. The fuel itself is not only cheaper than diesel — by more than $2.50 per gallon in North Penn’s case — but also comes with nearly 50% lower operating costs than diesel. In fact, the money saved from propane school buses can go directly back into our children’s educations. One study by the World LP Gas Association found if all school buses in the United States were converted to propane, we could pay the salaries for over 23,000 extra teachers.
“The cost savings is second to none compared to diesel,” Ryan says. “That long-term investment helpswith savings to the district. I think any school board would say, okay this seems like a great long-term investment in our kids and our community.”
Compared with electric buses, the upfront cost of a propane bus is significantly less expensive. In fact, school districts can purchase three propane buses for every one electric bus, allowing districts to replace their aging diesel fleets three times faster.
Moreover, propane infrastructure is affordable and scalable, making it an accessible option for school districts of all sizes. North Penn uses an 18,000-gallon propane tank with four dispensers that easily refuels each bus in just a few minutes whenever it’s needed. Propane buses can cover a range of 400 miles on a single refuel and perform reliably in all weather conditions, ensuring that students can get to school safely and on time, no matter what.
Taking Action: How You Can Make a Difference
The Environmental Protection Agency’s Clean School Bus Program is available to provide financial support to school districts interested in upgrading their fleets to cleaner alternatives. With this in place, there’s never been a better time to advocate for cleaner, safer transportation for our children. The program has already allocated resources for hundreds of new propane buses that will reduce thousands of pounds of emissions in communities across the country.
Parents and community members can make a difference by talking to their school districts about making the switch to propane. Resources and funding are available, and the benefits — cleaner air, healthier children, and cost savings — are undeniable. To learn more about how you can help bring propane-powered buses to your community, visit betterourbuses.com.
