Lafayette Schools To Buy 8 Propane Buses

LAFAYETTE, La. (AP) — By early spring, some Lafayette Parish students will be riding to school on buses fueled by propane rather than diesel.

The Advocate reports that the parish school board has approved about $710,000 to buy eight new propane-fueled buses.

Transportation director Bill Samec says each costs about $6,000 more than a diesel-powered bus, he expects to save about $3,000 a year per bus. He says they also pollute less than diesel and cost less to maintain.

He outlined the proposal to the board in late October, and members voted to accept it Nov. 7.

On Monday, Samec said he'd like to see the district add another eight or 10 new propane buses to gradually replace the existing diesel-fueled fleet.