Council Rock Switching to Propane-Fueled Buses

Council Rock School District will be getting new propane buses for the beginning of the next school year.

The buses, which are expected to be more fuel efficient, will also come with a cost savings for the district over time, officials said.

Council Rock Director of Business Administration Bob Reinhart has estimated the move will save the district $2.5 million over the next seven years.

The district has approved a new contract with its transportation provider, First Student, which includes a provision that the bus fleet be switched over to the propane-powered buses starting in the 2015-2016 school year.

It will also hire Lancaster-based Rhoads Energy to install propane fueling stations at the district’s bus depots. That contract was approved at a board meeting earlier this spring.