HomeMy WebLinkAbout05-08-2013 Mayor, Superintendent to Discuss Propane-Fueled School Buses X013
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CITY OF SOUTH BEND
PETE BUTTIGIEG,MAYOR
Office of the Mayor
CONTACT:
Kara Kelly, (574) 235-5853
kkelly @southbendin.gov
FOR RELEASE: Tuesday, May 7, 2013
MAYOR, SUPERINTENDENT TO DISCUSS PROPANE-FUELED SCHOOL BUSES
Mayor Pete Buttigieg and South Bend Community School Corp. Superintendent Dr. Carole
Schmidt will discuss a proposal to buy propane-fueled school buses at 10 a.m. Wednesday, May
8 at LaSalle Intermediate Center, 2701 Elwood Avenue.
Propane-fueled buses offer an energy-efficient alternative to the diesel-fueled buses currently in
the School Corporation's fleet. Each year the School Corporation replaces 20 diesel-fueled buses
at an average cost of$88,500 each. A propane-fueled bus costs $98,800, but the School
Corporation estimates an energy savings of$38,735 over the typical 12-year life span of a school
bus.
"The School Corporation would get a full return on the additional $10,300 investment in about
two and a half years," says Jon Burke, South end's Municipal Energy Director, noting that
propane is cleaner-burning than diesel and more fuel efficient.
Mayor Buttigieg, Dr. Schmidt, Burke, and Kevin Neafie, Director of Transportation for the
Tippecanoe School Corporation in Lafayette, Indiana, will talk to LaSalle students about
exploring alternative fuels. After the presentation, Mayor Buttigieg and Dr. Schmidt will join the
students for a ride on a propane-fueled bus.
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