Kansas City Public Schools (KCPS) is adding 155 propane-fueled Blue Bird school buses; the majority of the district’s school bus fleet now operates on this emission-reducing, economical fuel.

Recent studies have shown that propane autogas school buses are a proven way to reduce harmful NO_x emissions in communities. The KCPS propane buses will reduce NO_x emissions by more than 55,000 pounds and particulate matter by almost 500 pounds each year compared with the diesel buses they replaced.

The school district pays 50% less per gallon for propane compared with diesel, for an expected savings of about $500,000 annually. It also anticipates another $55,000 savings each year in maintenance costs. Chris Walls, director of transportation for KCPS, says that every dollar saved in transportation ends up back in the classroom.

KCPS joins more than 900 school districts running propane school buses.

The district recently installed a propane station on school grounds that can fuel four buses at a time.