the world with less than one percent of total NGVs. However, North America is expected to see some of the fastest growth, due to abundant domestic reserves in its relatively untapped
natural-gas fields and low production costs. In the early 1990s, both Tomas Built and Blue Bird ventured into the CNG school bus market with Cummins Inc. in different categories. Blue Bird offered the first Type D All American, and Tomas offered the first Type C Saf-T-Liner HDX CNG, and then launched a Type D version. Today’s CNG school buses, similar to propane, offer more horsepower and torque than models of yesteryear. Jordan School District serving the growing suburb southwest of Salt Lake
The HDX transit-style school bus from Thomas Built Buses is one of several evolutions from the company’s original CNG offerings.
COMPRESSED NATURAL GAS Many others still have their bets on propane’s cousing, com-
pressed natural gas, or CNG, as the long-run, top-alternative fuel choice for the school bus industry. Innovation is still progressing within other fuel-powered indus-
tries, such as aircraft, trains, ships, heavy-duty trucks, and passenger cars. And world governments continue to push clean fleet man- dates, especially for natural gas vehicles (NGV). According to NGV Global, the worldwide NGV population has
grown to more than 11 million units, with the most success in the Middle East and Latin America. Te U.S. currently ranks 17th in
City was a pioneer when it made a commitment to go the CNG route 15 years ago. Herb Jensen, the district’s director of transpor- tation for the past three years, said early models were slow in their response and were not used in any situation that required driving up hills much less mountains on routes or field trips. “Tat’s no longer an issue,” he added. “Tey were a little sluggish
getting up to speed but once there they were OK. Now, the buses act just like a diesel. For most of our drivers, if they hopped on to a bus already fueled and weren’t paying attention to if it was a diesel or CNG, they wouldn’t notice any difference at all.” With demand nationwide increasing during the past five
years, Tomas Built said it plans to expand its offerings with an additional CNG fueled Saf-T-Liner® C2 school bus. It will utilize the Cummins Westport ISB6.7 G, a mid-range 6.7-liter, natural-gas engine, currently in development and expected to be available in 2015.
School Traction Advantage
Simple & Fast Engages and Disengages with a flip of a Switch in the dash while moving.
No Stopping! No getting out!
Just Traction!
Stow gear safely!
Equal traction in forward and reverse for all vehicles 1/2 ton through class 8. Well suited for School Buses with diffecult rural routes.
Call 800-633-0699 or
www.Insta-Chain.com AMERICAN OWNED AND MANUFACTURED IN UTAH
See Us At Booth #264 50 School Transportation News July 2013
Fibreglass bus luggage that retrofi ts to any full-size bus.
Easy to install • Light-weight Durable • 3 sizes available School Bus Yellow Finish Stainless Steel Hardware
1-800-201-8589
www.americanbusproducts.com
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88 |
Page 89 |
Page 90 |
Page 91 |
Page 92