Yes, that’s right. The school bus! We are just over two miles from the school, and that means that the kids are eligible for the school bus. Once I got the idea into my head that this would be a wonderful decision FOR ALL OF US, there was no stopping me. I applied for the bus pass in person and made all the arrangements. The kids are so happy! Their bus driver is wonderful. She knows their schedules and is getting to know them. She always has dog treats for Astro when I bring him to the bus stop, and she’s always a friendly and welcoming face to see in the morning and in the afternoon. So much fun.

The other good news is that the kids have a new bus this week that they didn’t have last week! That’s why I’m so excited to share about The Propane Education & Research Council. They are a nonprofit that provides leading propane safety and training programs. They also invest in research and development of new propane-powered technologies. Since it’s a new school year, they’re helping to remind parents to talk to their children about the importance of school bus safety, and I’m all for that! Unlike the older diesel buses, propane school buses are quiet and clean, which makes the ride to school safe.

1 – When you’re at the bus stop, ensure that loose drawstrings, chains or other dangling objects are removed from clothing, coats, and bags.

2 – Walk your young children to and from the bus, or have them walk in a group. And make sure you leave home on time to arrive at least five minutes before the bus is due. It’s dangerous to run after or in front of a school bus.

3 – Make sure to wait in a location where the driver can see you. Do not wait in a house or car. And practice good pedestrian behavior while you wait – walk and wait on the sidewalk. If there isn’t one, stay out of the street. When you’re waiting for the bus to drop your child off, wait on the side where they’ll exit the bus – and not across the street from it.

4 – Tell your children that if they drop something getting on and off the bus, to never pick it up. Instead they should tell the driver and wait for their next instructions.

5 – Remind your children to look to the right before they step off the bus.

These school bus safety tips are all courtesy of The Propane Education & Research Council.

And there you have it! The school bus is the safest form of transportation to and from school. That’s why it’s important to follow safety rules. And it’s also important that the kids ride on propane school buses. For one, they’re safe. As you can imagine, safely transporting students to school, home, and extracurricular activities is a major task for the drivers! And this job requires focus. The fact that propane autogas engines are 50 percent quieter than diesel engines makes for a more pleasant ride, and a safer one too. There are standard safety features designed into propane autogas vehicle fuel systems.

For example, an automatic shut-off valve prevents the flow of fuel to the engine when it’s not running, even if the ignition switch is in the “on” position. And propane school buses are crash tested for impact in the side and rear areas, meeting rigorous U.S. FMVSS and motor vehicle standards.

Also, propane school buses are clean! The EPA and the WHO have both identified diesel engine exhaust as a carcinogen, which can cause short and long-term health effects. Alternative fuels, like propane autogas, provide cleaner air because the days of exposing our children to a black cloud of diesel exhaust are over! Propane school buses will not expose our children to harmful particulate matter found in diesel exhaust, which is known to escalate breathing-related issues and aggravate asthma.

And propane-autogas-fueled vehicles cost less over the life of the vehicle, since propane costs less per gallon than diesel. This saves school districts significant money on fuel costs. This allows more budget to be put back into the classroom!