Portland Public Schools Take Next Step in Green Operations With NexBus Propane Buses From Collins Bus Corp

PORTLAND, Ore., Oct. 28 /PRNewswire/ -- Portland Public Schools, a national leader in the deployment of clean, safe and cost-effective propane-powered school buses, hit the road with the district's first factory-installed Type A small propane school buses this month, thanks to Collins Bus Corporation and its Boring, Oregon-based distributor Western Bus Sales.

"Portland Public Schools started using propane buses in 1983 because of concerns about increasing conventional fuel prices and stricter air quality regulations," said Portland Interim Director of Student Transportation Andy Leibenguth. "Today, virtually all of our 325-plus district-owned and contracted buses run on propane. Up to now, our small buses were not available directly from a manufacturer; they had to be converted to propane by local vendors after purchase. We are thrilled that Collins and Western Bus Sales now offer Type-A school buses with dedicated propane engines."

The Collins' NexBus is the nation's first and only factory-direct propane Type-A small school bus available for delivery today. The largest builder of Type-A buses in North America, Collins completed the federal certification process and produced the first propane-powered buses this summer in its Kansas-based manufacturing facility. Built on a dual rear-wheel GM chassis, the Collins NexBus Propane vehicle exhibits excellent cold-weather starting, has a range of 300 miles and is available in capacities of up to 32 passengers. The five buses delivered to Portland Public Schools are 18-passenger models.

The advantages of liquid propane fueled buses have been well documented by Portland Public Schools and school districts across the country.

• The average fuel cost can be up to 50 percent less than gasoline or diesel.
• Vehicles fueled by propane require less maintenance and last almost twice as long as those powered by conventional fuel.
• Propane burns cleaner than gasoline or diesel, with up to 20 percent less nitrogen oxide, up to 60 percent less carbon monoxide, 24 percent fewer greenhouse gas emissions and fewer particulate emissions than gasoline.
• Propane meets all Federal safety standards; propane tanks are 20 times as puncture resistant as gasoline tanks.
• Propane is readily available. In addition to existing private fleet fueling arrangements, there are hundreds of public refueling stations for propane in Portland.

"We applaud Portland Public Schools for being among the first in the country to recognize the operational and environmental benefits of propane-fueled vehicles. They continue to set a powerful example for students and the community with their smart, responsible transportation choices," said Kent Tyler, president of Collins Bus Corporation. "Collins Bus is committed to providing our customers with cost-effective, alternative fuel solutions straight from the factory where safety, reliability and quality are built in from the ground up. With partners like Western Bus Sales, Collins is uniquely positioned to serve the alternative-fuel needs of environmentally-conscious school districts, contractors and government customers throughout North America."

In addition to propane-powered buses, Collins also produces the NexBus Hybrid, which runs on hybrid electric technology. Collins is currently the only company that builds a school bus-certified chassis with a hybrid system. For more information about Collins' advanced technology transportation solutions visit www.collinsbuscorp.com

About Collins Bus Corporation

Collins Bus Corporation, the largest and most technologically-advanced builder of Type-A buses in North America, is headquartered in South Hutchinson, KS, and produces small bus products for both the school and childcare markets under the Collins, Mid Bus, and Corbeil brand names. The company has the largest distribution network of any Type-A bus company with more than 70 dealers in the United States and Canada. Collins is a subsidiary of Allied Specialty Vehicles, Inc., a portfolio company of American Industrial Partners and a leader in the Fire & Emergency, Recreational Vehicles and Bus & Industrial markets. For more information, visit www.collinsbuscorp.com.

About Western Bus Sales

Located in Boring, OR, Western Bus Sales is the leading bus sales company in the Pacific Northwest. The company is committed to sales of quality new and used school buses and commercial vehicles providing unparalleled after-the-sale parts and service support. In addition to pre-delivery and warranty work, Western's Vehicle Service Department services vans, RVs and medium and heavy duty equipment. With an expansive inventory of parts, the company's Field Service Repair and Parts Sales departments provide customers with personal service unsurpassed in the industry. For more information, visit www.westernbus.com.

SOURCE Collins Bus Corporation