starting during refueling, another issue popped up. Sanford said Tuscaloosa City wanted to remove camera and two-way radio systems from older bus models and install them on the new propane buses. But with the school year underway and the new buses on route, techs had to make the changes on the weekends.
Complicating matters was the fact that
state inspectors needed to approve the buses back into service. As a result, some buses were grounded for days and required the district to suspend delivery of the remaining propane order until March. But since then, it’s been smooth sailing
for Tuscaloosa City in terms of how the buses are operating, and the school board approved another order of 15 propane
buses this fall, with those expected to be running this month. Tat brings the propane total to 78 buses in a fleet of about 130, including spares. “IC Bus stood by their product and picked up exactly on the issues,” Staggs said. “Tey have been very supportive.” Despite routing and staffing concerns
that have lingered for other reasons, Staggs said the propane buses are proving to be a welcome driver retention tool and are saving the district on fuel purchases. Fuel economy gains have been slower to realize, as she explained the drivers are still assimilating to the new propane buses and how they handle differently than their diesel counterparts. “Tere has been a learning curve for the drivers on exactly how to drive them,” she added. “It’s almost as if the bus gets used to the driver. But the drivers have learned how to drive them as well, and I know the guys in our shop have worked really hard with the drivers on that.” Spark-ingnited propane engines are
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more sensitive to driver behavior for fuel economy than diesel and can require some driver behavior changes to get the best fuel economy from propane, an IC Bus spokesman said. Last spring, one particular driver was getting “amazing fuel economy,” accord- ing to Staggs. She said Shop Foreman Shannon Swinney commented that the driver is a great candidate to train the others. Additional benefits include the quieter ride so the drivers can actually hear while on route. “I’ll tell you what, they don’t want
to give them up now,” Staggs said. “For some reason if they to be in a spare and they have to be in a diesel they aren’t happy until they get their propane back.”
Tat brings a smile to Sanford’s face. “One of the highlights for me is to go to the bus shop and have drivers hug your neck and say, ‘Tank you for our new buses,’” she said. “Tey truly love them. Tey say they can hear the kids, and they don’t have as many discipline issues. It’s really gratifying.” l
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