Mass Transit magazine features agency profiles, industry trends, management tips and new product information.
Issue link: https://masstransit.epubxp.com/i/385405
88 | Mass Transit | MassTransitmag.com | SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2014 We offer the transit industry the most complete line of platform, bus shelter and wayfnding signage in the market. 800-833-3157 DAKTRONICS.COM/MASSTRANSIT & VISIT US AT APTA BOOTHS #3815 AND #2362 TO VIEW OUR FULL- COLOR, MONOCHROME, LED AND LCD PRODUCTS. THE INDUSTRY LEADERS IN DYNAMIC TRANSIT SIGNAGE For more information, visit www.MassTransitmag.com/10065612 Juan Mejias, f leet mainte- nance manager at Alvin ISD, relies on the 24/7 service of the district's propane provider to ensure it has the fuel it needs to quickly and safely transport stu- dents to and from school. "They [propane retailers] go out of their way to make sure they deliver our fuel on time," Mejias said. "Whether it's at mid- night or four in the morning — they'll make sure we have the fuel we need to get the job done." Maintenance Costs Propane-autogas-powered vehi- cles can be serviced and stored in the same garage with the same diagnostic tools as gasoline-fu- eled vehicles. This makes the cost of maintenance with propane autogas equivalent, if not more affordable than, conventional fuels. In fact, Eric Stewart, lead mechanic at Portland Public School District, which operates 59 propane-autogas-powered school buses, said gasoline-fu- eled vehicles actually require more tools and precautionary actions during maintenance. "Gasoline fumes can really choke you out of the repair shop if you don't direct them outside," Stewart said. "We purchase a hose that can be attached to the exhaust pipe and run outdoors in order to keep the smoke from suffocating the area. This is isn't necessary when working with propane autogas because the exhaust fumes inside the shop aren't as harmful due to the fu- el's clean properties." New EPA-certified diesel engines accumulate substan- tial maintenance costs due to required fuel additives and af- ter treatments to reduce emis- sions. Bruce Thomas, master technician with Adams 12 Five Star Schools in Colorado, which operates a total of 148 buses on a combination of propane and diesel, the up-front costs have increased significantly to operate its diesel engines. "There are a lot of hoops you have to jump through with diesel due to of all of the EPA emission standards," Thomas explained. "New EPA-certified diesel buses have become much more expensive and difficult to maintain. The best thing about propane autogas is that it doesn't need any additional parts or maintenance in order to meet emission standards." Safety Safety is the most important consideration for any feet, and safety with alternative fuels is no An on-site propane autogas dispenser is compact and easy to install, and only requires a large propane tank and no-spill low-emission dispenser. PROPANE AUTOGAS