Perrysburg school district is expanding its fleet of school buses, but they won’t be fueled by diesel.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recently awarded the school district $400,000 toward the purchase of 16 propane buses. These buses emit fewer emissions than the typical diesel-fueled school bus.
“With the recent purchase of these buses, we will become a mostly propane bus district,” Perrysburg Superintendent Tom Hosler said.
The school district was previously awarded funding in 2019 to purchase 12 propane buses and has added four more since. James Mapus, the executive director of operations for Perrysburg, said they are adding even more because of the impact on the community.
“We really like them. It’s safer for the students who are inhaling the diesel fumes every day and safer for the community,” Mr. Mapus said.
Mr. Mapus said with the addition of the new buses, the district will have 32 propane buses, bringing their total fleet to 52 buses. The other buses in the district’s fleet are diesel buses, which Mr. Hosler said are “tried and true,” but he added that the propane buses have benefits such as the price of gas and maintenance.