Chester County is taking on an environment-focused action plan with the introduction of sixteen new propane buses for Chesco Connect, writes Brooke Schultz for The Philadelphia Inquirer.
The county is set to run sixteen new propane buses by February, with seven already in rotation. Chester County Department of Community Transit director Gene Suski shared that more of Chesco Connect’s seventy-four bus system will include propane powered buses in 2027.
The changes come as part of Chester County’s climate action plan approved by commissioners in 2021. Manufacturer ROUSH CleanTech collaborated in the upcoming bus changes.
The local transition also comes amid a greater trend throughout surrounding counties. Montgomery and Lancaster Counties have also instituted propane buses, and school districts throughout Pennsylvania have also made the change to alternate fuel sources.
A cleaner fuel than standard gasoline or diesel, propane also costs up to $1.50 less per gallon than gasoline. While propane buses cost more than standard gas buses, the annual savings in fuel cost will make up for the difference within eighteen months.
About the initiative, Chester County Chief Executive Officer David Byerman said, “We believe that we have a duty as a county to be good environmental stewards…we’re looking forward to continuing to realize the goals we laid out in our climate action plan, and continuing to provide a model for sustainability for southeastern Pennsylvania.”
Read more about the upcoming plan to introduce propane buses throughout Chester County in The Philadelphia Inquirer.
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