Broken Arrow approves propane fueling station and adds propane bus to fleet

The Broken Arrow Public Schools Board approved a $169,925 contract to install a propane fueling station at the South Transportation Terminal and separately approved purchasing a 7-passenger Type C propane bus for $171,078, raising the district's propane-bus fleet to six vehicles.

Transportation Director Moore told the board the fueling-station bid from Laferious Propane was paid from building and bond funds and that all bidding was conducted under the Oklahoma Competitive Bidding Act. Moore said drivers found the propane buses "nice and quiet" and noted propane fuel costs about half the price of diesel, with lower maintenance needs.

The bus purchase was procured using state contract SW0110 and paid from 2015 bond funds, Moore said. He told the board that propane buses currently cost about $7,000 more per unit than diesel buses but that the district expects savings on fuel and oil-change frequency.

Board members asked about air conditioning and range; Moore said the propane buses are air-conditioned and the primary concern is total range. The board approved both motions by roll call after motions, seconds and affirmative votes recorded in the meeting transcript.

No additional conditions or follow-up deadlines were recorded on the items during the meeting.