Pinellas County schools are rolling into the new school year with propane buses.
- Pinellas Co. has 58 propane buses in its fleet
- County plans on purchasing 40 more
- Pros include quieter, smoother, more comfortable ride
"We made a decision several years ago to look for an alternate fuel source other than a diesel type bus, so we looked at all the options out there and elected to go with the propane,” said Rick McBride, Director of Transportation for the Pinellas County School District.
The district currently has 58 propane buses in its fleet and has plans to buy 40 more.
“It’s like a brand new car,” senior dispatcher Michael Walker said. "It’s very nice, very nice. Very smooth riding. Very comfortable."
The propane buses are not only more comfortable than the diesel ones, but they are also a lot quieter. Officials say they'll save the district money on fuel.
There is a propane fueling station set up at the district’s Coachman Park bus depot. The district said the buses are also great to have in case of emergency.
"We do storm evacuations, emergency evacuations," said McBride. "In the event we may have a shortage of fuel for diesel, like we experienced a few years ago, then we have an alternative source with the propane."