Michigan Propane Buses Prove Their Value
700+ Strong Across Michigan’s Schools and Communities
Propane buses are proving themselves as a reliable and cost-effective fuel option for school districts and transportation agencies across Michigan. From the Upper Peninsula to cities like Flint and Grand Rapids, propane consistently outperforms electric vehicles, especially in Michigan’s cold winters, where electric batteries often struggle to maintain efficiency. Transportation leaders and drivers who have switched to propane are seeing immediate benefits, including lower fuel costs, fewer maintenance issues, and cleaner, quieter rides for students.
Over 50 school districts have already switched to propane, and there are now over 700 propane-powered para-transit and school buses operating across Michigan. These buses are part of the 33,000 propane-powered vehicles in the state, demonstrating propane’s growing role in Michigan’s transportation sector. The benefits go beyond just cost savings. Propane produces fewer harmful emissions compared to gasoline and diesel, helping to improve air quality and meet environmental goals. It also offers a more stable and resilient fuel option, with easily accessible infrastructure that can be set up quickly and affordably. Using propane for school and para-transit buses, which are funded by taxpayer dollars, helps ensure that public money is spent wisely by cutting fuel and maintenance costs.
Propane is also more reliable in cold weather, without the range issues that electric vehicles face, making it an ideal choice for Michigan’s challenging winter conditions. By switching to propane, Michigan school districts are not only cutting costs but also contributing to a cleaner, more efficient transportation system for students and communities across the state.
Northern Michigan (Above Mount Pleasant)
Northern Michigan, which is known for its cold winters, has been quick to adopt propane for both paratransit and school bus fleets to optimize efficiency in a region where colder climate and longer driving distances render electric options obsolete for their reduced range and battery life in cold weather. In contrast, propane holds strong and now powers 14 paratransit buses in counties like Manistee and Roscommon, along with 38 school buses in districts like Hillman and Boyne City.
Adopting propane for Northern Michigan’s paratransit fleets has proven both environmentally and economically beneficial. Fleets in Manistee County and Roscommon County appreciate propane for its lower operating costs and reduced emissions. In a region where cold weather can limit the performance of electric vehicles, propane proves to be a reliable and cost-effective alternative.
School districts are also seeing the benefits of propane. Hillman Community Schools and Boyne City Schools have saved significantly by switching to propane buses. As Carl Seiter, Superintendent at Hillman Community Schools, points out, “Whenever we can save money like that, it saves our taxpayer dollars.”
Propane Fleets in Northern Michigan:
- Manistee County Transportation: 10 paratransit buses
- Roscommon County Transportation Authority: 4 paratransit buses
- Boyne City Schools: 8 school buses
- Iosco RESA: 13 school buses
- Crawford AuSable Schools: 9 school buses
- Hillman School District: 4 school buses
- Alpena Public Schools: 2 propane school buses
- Kalkaska Public Schools: 2 propane school buses
East Michigan (Tri-Cities & Flint Area)
East Michigan, which encompasses the Tri-Cities and Flint areas, has seen a strong push toward propane adoption in both public transportation and school fleets. Bay Area Transportation Authority has a fleet of 48 propane paratransit buses, with school districts such as Brown City, North Branch, and Kingston making significant strides to add propane buses to their fleets. Due to the growing recognition of propane’s cost and environmental benefits, the region now operates 61 propane-powered paratransits and 27 school buses.
In Brown City, the ongoing transition to propane is already showing promising results. Superintendent Neil Kohler shares, “We use propane buses every day and plan to transition all of them to propane over the next seven to eight years. The drivers absolutely love it; there’s less pollution, and propane is a better, easier, and quicker fuel option. Our biggest savings come from the fuel side.”
Kingston Community Schools has also seen positive impacts from switching to propane. Superintendent Shona Vennevy highlights the benefits of cost savings and emissions reductions, stating, “We are excited about the cost savings, emission reductions, and eliminating the diesel fumes that students would otherwise breathe.” The switch to propane improves air quality for students and lowers maintenance costs, benefiting both the environment and the community.
Propane Fleets in East Michigan:
- Bay Area Transportation Authority: 48 paratransits
- Brown City Schools: 7 propane school buses
- Greater Lapeer Transportation: 3 propane paratransits (as of 2020)
- Shiawassee Area Transportation Authority: 4 paratransits
- North Branch Public Schools: 4 school buses
- Laker School District: 1 propane school bus
- Sandusky Community Schools: 7 propane school buses
- Owosso Public Schools: 2 school buses
- Kingston Community Schools: 6 school buses
- Coyne Truck Leasing, LLC: 4 Propane Bobtails
- Flint Mass Transit Authority: 116 Propane Paratransits and School Buses
West Michigan
West Michigan has continued to rely on propane as a clean, efficient fuel for both public transit and school fleets. Leading the charge is the city’s bus system, The Rapid, which operates 68 propane-powered paratransit buses serving the Grand Rapids metropolitan area and its surrounding cities. In total, the region operates 95 propane-powered paratransits and 17 school buses, illustrating the strong adoption of propane as both an environmentally friendly and cost-saving fuel.
Transit agencies like Allegan County Transportation have found significant benefits from the switch to propane. Whitney Ehresman, Allegan County Transportation Director, remarks, “Because we’re paying so much less for propane than gasoline, we have saved tens of thousands of taxpayer dollars.” Propane has helped the agency maintain its extensive rural service while improving emissions and lowering fuel costs. Similarly, Twin Cities Area Transportation Authority has grown its propane fleet from two to nine buses since 2018, further demonstrating the region’s commitment to cleaner transportation.
The Rapid’s transition to propane began in 2015, and today their entire paratransit fleet runs on propane, Steven Clapp, Director of Fleet Maintenance, praises propane’s impact, saying, “Propane is a cleaner gas, and one of the reasons we switched to propane is that the EPA considers propane a clean green fuel.” The Rapid’s fleet now saves 1.7 million kilograms of CO2 every 18 months, benefiting both the environment and the technicians working on the vehicles.
Several school districts have adopted propane-powered buses to enhance efficiency and reduce emissions. For instance, Allendale Public Schools have integrated five propane buses into their fleet. Superintendent Garth Cooper highlighted the benefits, stating, “The switch to propane buses has significantly reduced our fuel costs and lowered maintenance expenses, allowing us to allocate more resources directly to student programs.” Similarly, Northview Public Schools operates three propane buses, with Transportation Director Lisa Smith noting, “Our propane buses have not only decreased our environmental footprint but also provided a quieter and more comfortable ride for our students.” These testimonials underscore the positive impact of propane buses on both operational efficiency and student experience in West Michigan.
Propane Fleets in West Michigan:
- Allegan County Transportation: 7 paratransits
- Twin Cities Area Transportation Authority: 9 paratransits
- Harbor Transit Transportation Systems: 11 paratransit buses
- Plainwell Community Schools: 3 propane school buses
- Berrien Springs Public Schools: 4 propane school buses
- Northview Public Schools: 3 propane school buses
- Riverview Community School District: 2 propane school buses
- Allendale Public Schools: 5 propane school buses
- The Rapid: 68 propane paratransits
Mid-Michigan
Mid-Michigan embraces propane for a range of transportation needs, from school buses to delivery vehicles and paratransits. The region is home to one of the largest propane bus fleets in the state, with ABC Student Transportation converting nearly 200 buses to propane. In total, Mid-Michigan operates 114 propane-powered paratransits, 365 propane school buses, and 3 private companies using propane for their delivery vehicles and work vans. This wide adoption of propane reflects a strong commitment to lowering both operational costs and emissions.
Onsted Community Schools added 10 propane buses to its fleet by the 2023-2024 school year. “The EPA clean school bus program allowed us to get a rebate, but electric was not feasible for our needs,” said Tisha Hergert, Transportation Supervisor for Onsted Community Schools. By choosing propane, the district saves nearly $2 per gallon on fuel compared to gasoline, and servicing costs have dropped by 30%.
Hamtramck Public Schools, meanwhile, is in the early stages of propane adoption, with four propane buses currently operating. Angela Hunt, Auxilio Fleet Manager, explains, “We are still in the testing stage using our present fleet of four propane buses,” but the district is optimistic about expanding its propane fleet in the future as it continues to evaluate the benefits.
Propane Fleets in Mid-Michigan:
- SMART (hospital and other): 61 buses
- Midland County Board of Commissioners: 3 paratransit buses
- Wayne Regional Educational Services Agency: 48 school buses
- Durand Area Schools: 4 propane school buses
- Thornapple Kellogg School District: 1 propane school bus
- Huron School District: 6 propane school buses
- Livonia Public Schools: 30 propane school buses
- Onsted Community Schools: 10 propane school buses
Quote from Tisha Hergert, Transportation Supervisor for Onsted Community Schools - Hamtramck Schools: 4 propane school buses
Quote from Angela Hunt, Auxilio Fleet Manager - New Haven Public Schools: 5 propane school buses
- Hope Network: 31 propane paratransits
- FedEx Stronghouse Unit: 4 propane delivery vehicles
- FedEx Brickhouse Unit: 4 propane delivery vehicles
- Douglas Urban Transit: 8 propane paratransits
- Jon Boy Electric Company: 3 propane work vans
- Eaton County Transportation: 3 paratransit buses
- ABC Transportation: 200 propane school buses
Quote from Brian Flagg, General Manager of ABC Transportation - Canton Public Schools: 65 propane school buses
