Prince William County Public Schools Unveils 62 New Propane Buses Equipped with Industry-First Driver Airbags
- District will operate the first Blue Bird Vision buses with standard driver airbags
- District aims to transition 50-60% of its fleet to propane buses by 2030
MANASSAS, Va.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–
Prince William County Public Schools unveiled its new emissions-reducing propane school buses today at its Brentsville facility. The 62 Blue Bird Vision Propane buses are also the first from the company to come equipped with standard driver airbags.
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Prince William County Public Schools Unveils 62 New Blue Bird Propane Buses Equipped with Industry-First Driver Airbags
The propane buses were purchased from Blue Bird Bus Sales of Virginia. In collaboration with its corporate headquarters in Gibsonia, Pennsylvania, the dealer provided a fully equipped 78-passenger propane school bus demonstrator to the school district. Following a successful six-week demonstration, PWCPS placed an order of 62, bringing propane buses to its fleet for the first time.
“Prince William County Public Schools’ investment in propane buses marks a significant step toward cleaner, safer student transportation. We’re thrilled to deliver our first propane buses equipped with standard driver airbags, combining industry-leading safety with ultra-low emissions,” said Steve Whaley, propane product segment leader for Blue Bird Corporation. “These buses not only enhance the health of students and the community but also provide exceptional performance and cost savings for the district.”
Each of the Blue Bird Vision Propane 72-passenger school buses comes equipped with an IMMI 4Front driver airbag, a 7.3L V8 Ford engine and ROUSH CleanTech propane fuel system. Ford’s 335-horsepower 7.3L engine is compact, powerful and easy to maintain. The school district’s propane buses retain equivalent horsepower, torque, and warranty coverage as its gas and diesel counterparts.
Near-zero emission propane vehicles reduce smog-producing emissions, eliminate particulate matter and lower nitrogen oxides by 95% compared with diesel-powered school buses. School districts have reported annual savings of up to $3,700 per propane-powered bus due to lower fuel and maintenance costs compared to a diesel-powered bus.
“Propane school buses are a game-changer for communities like Prince William County. By reducing harmful emissions and improving air quality, these buses create a healthier environment for students, drivers and residents,” said Todd Mouw, executive vice president for ROUSH CleanTech.
Blue Bird is the only U.S.-owned and operated school bus manufacturer in the United States. The company remains the proven clean transportation leader with more than 23,500 propane school buses operating in over 1,100 districts across North America.
About Blue Bird Corporation
Blue Bird (NASDAQ: BLBD) is recognized as a technology leader and innovator of school buses since its founding in 1927. Our dedicated team members design, engineer and manufacture school buses with a singular focus on safety, reliability, and durability. School buses carry the most precious cargo in the world – 25 million children twice a day – making them the most trusted mode of student transportation. The company is the proven leader in low- and zero-emission school buses with more than 25,000 propane, natural gas, and electric powered buses sold. Blue Bird is transforming the student transportation industry through cleaner energy solutions. For more information on Blue Bird’s complete product and service portfolio, visit www.blue-bird.com.
About ROUSH CleanTech
ROUSH CleanTech, an industry leader of advanced clean transportation solutions, is a division of the global engineering company Roush Enterprises. ROUSH CleanTech develops propane autogas technology for medium-duty Ford commercial vehicles and school buses. With more than 55,000 vehicles on the road, the Livonia, Michigan-based company delivers economical, emissions-reducing options for fleets across North America. Learn more at ROUSHcleantech.com or by calling 800.59.ROUSH.
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260318581910/en/
Media Contacts
Blue Bird
Julianne Barclay
TSN Communications
267.934.5340 | [email protected]
ROUSH CleanTech
Gregg Voss
TSN Communications
224.542.9530 | [email protected]
KEYWORDS: United States North America Virginia
INDUSTRY KEYWORDS: Automotive Manufacturing State/Local Green Technology Sustainability Manufacturing Other Education Alternative Vehicles/Fuels Primary/Secondary Education Environment Public Policy/Government Transport Automotive Public Transport Vehicle Technology Engineering
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