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£ Phil Horlock, Blue Bird Bus


Q&A


BLUE BIRD’S HORLOCK DISCUSSES TRENDS IN ALT FUELS


WRITTEN BY RYAN GRAY Leading the charge on the school


bus propane fuel front is Blue Bird, which last year celebrated the 85th anniversary of its Blue Bird No. 1 built on a Ford Model T chassis. In 2007, the company released the first large-bus propane built at the factory without the need for retrofit kits. Since then, the manufacturer has increased its partnership with ROUSH CleanTech and Ford in de- livering next-generation products to the market. Recently, we caught up with Phil Horlock, president and CEO at Blue Bird, to discuss the company’s ded- ication to alternative fuels, market acceptance of those fuels and what is looming on the immediate horizon in terms of cleaner diesel. Throughout this year, look for


more Q&A articles with leaders at student transportation companies as they discuss trends, emerging technology and more.


School Transportation News: Can you explain the customer rationale nationwide on how and why they tend to specify one alternative fuel over another? Is it strictly a financial decision at this point? Phil Horlock: In most situations, we find that this decision is influenced by cost and infrastructure. Te cost of alternative-fuel buses varies according to fuel type. Pro- pane-powered buses are less expensive than CNG-powered buses, as CNG’s multiple large fuel tanks and protective shielding adds significant cost. Te same applies to in- frastructure where the cost of a CNG filling station can be more than ten times the cost of a propane filling station. However, where CNG fuelling infrastructure is already in place, CNG-powered school buses can be an attractive proposition versus diesel, par- ticularly when supported by state incentives. Tis decision is also affected by training


and service availability. Transportation di- rectors are looking to ensure that the entire transportation team will receive training on how to properly operate, maintain and maximize the efficiency of alternative-fuel buses. Blue Bird recognizes this need and, in conjunction with our dealers and partners, provides ample training and support to these customers.


STN: Blue Bird has manufactured more than 2,000 propane-powered school buses in the past five years. What do you attribute to the acceptance nationwide of this alter- native fuel over the others? Horlock: Tis can be attributed to four


factors. Propane is extremely safe, environ- mentally-friendly, cost-effective and reduces America’s dependence on foreign oil. Tat’s why propane is the most popular alterna- tive-fuel choice today. Propane has proven to be very safe. Blue


Bird’s propane fuel tanks are mounted between the frame rails on the bus and are extremely difficult to penetrate. Te strength properties of a propane tank far exceed die- sel or gasoline fuel-tank standards. In fact, we have a video on our website showing


28 School Transportation News January 2013


police officers trying to shoot holes in a pro- pane tank with their pistols, and they cannot penetrate the tank. Further, propane has some built in natural safety properties, such as a very low fuel-to-air combustion ratio. Propane is also great for the environment.


Compared with gasoline, it produces 60 percent less carbon monoxide, 12 percent less carbon dioxide, 20 percent less nitrogen oxide, and up to 25 percent less greenhouse gases. Transportation Directors who operate buses powered by propane autogas have raved about the advantages and this has spurred greater interest and acceptance in the industry. Operationally, propane autogas is a clean burning fuel that provides great power and torque and reduced maintenance requirements due to the cleaner properties. Drivers consistently tell us how much they like the low noise level and the fact that they can clearly hear the children on their bus. Te cost of propane is a huge advantage


over diesel. Typically, a gallon of propane is about 40 to 50 percent of the cost of a gallon of diesel. Tis saves school districts considerable money and while the initial acquisition cost of a propane bus might be a little higher than a diesel-powered bus, that incremental cost is paid for within a couple of years. For example, over a 12 year vehicle life, at 12,000 miles a year, the fuel savings amount to about $20,000 per bus. So, imagine having a fleet of a hundred propane-powered school buses – Tat’s great business that no transportation director can afford to ignore! In fact, Ron Latko, Director of Transportation at Mesa Public Schools in Mesa, Ariz., reports that his school district is saving 36.5 cents per mile by using propane-powered Blue Bird school buses. At 12,000 miles a year, that’s a fuel cost saving of more than $4,000 per bus, each year! As a domestically produced fuel, 90 per- cent of production comes from right here in the United States and 7 percent comes from Canada. Te plentiful domestic supply helps to ensure price stability. Additionally, propane fueling stations are widespread and


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