KCSD upgrades bus fleet to propane, boosting safety and saving money

March 4, 2026 / The Klamath County School District has nearly completed a decade-long transition to a cleaner, safer, and more cost-effective school bus fleet, replacing aging diesel buses with modern propane models. District officials say the shift has already delivered significant savings to taxpayers while improving reliability and safety for students.

The district now operates 82 propane buses -- about 98% of its regular-route fleet, making it one of the largest propane school bus fleets in Oregon.

A key driver of the transition has been federal funding aimed at reducing harmful diesel emissions.

Melinda Downing, district transportation supervisor, said the propane buses essentially pay for themselves. The district received $35,000 per bus through an EPA grant, and also was reimbursed 70% of costs through the state of Oregon.

Under grant requirements, each new propane bus replaces an older diesel bus, which must be permanently decommissioned. District leaders say this ensures high-emission buses are removed from the road while maximizing taxpayer savings.

Many of the retiring diesel buses were more than 15 years old and had between 200,000 and 300,000 miles. Repairs were increasingly costly -- and sometimes impossible -- as parts became discontinued.

“One turbo and actuator alone cost about $15,000 on a diesel engine,” explained Darryl Haney, assistant transportation supervisor for KCSD. “For that price, we can buy two entire propane engines. A full propane engine is about $8,000.”

The EPA launched the grant initiative to reduce diesel exhaust, which is harmful to children, drivers, and the community. Propane is a cleaner-burning fuel with significantly lower emissions.

“Switching to propane is better for students, better for our neighborhoods, and better for the environment,” Downing said.

Propane also offers major operational savings. The district pays between $1 and $2 per gallon for propane, compared to $4 or more for diesel, without sacrificing performance. Mileage remains similar to diesel (6–8 mpg), but maintenance needs are dramatically reduced.

“Our shop used to be full of diesel buses waiting for repairs,” Haney said. “Now our mechanics can keep up. Drivers go out with confidence because the buses are reliable.”

Propane also performs better in cold weather, since it doesn’t gel like diesel fuel, reducing winter breakdowns.

Improved safety features

The new propane buses are equipped with modern safety technology, including:

·         GPS tracking

·         Front-facing and interior dash cameras used for student safety, accident review, and reporting red-light runners

·         Automatic tire chains, allowing drivers to deploy chains with the flip of a switch instead of chaining up on the roadside

·         Quieter engines, improving communication and reducing distractions inside the bus

“These features have strengthened both student safety and accountability,” Downing said. “We work with the sheriff’s office, and many citations have been issued thanks to our dash cams.”

Despite common misconceptions, propane buses are extremely safe. Tanks are double-walled and heavily shielded, and the buses meet rigorous federal safety standards.

The district’s transportation team drives 1.4 million miles per year on routes that stretch from Bly Mountain and Chiloquin to Gilchrist and Lake of the Woods. With the fleet now nearly fully converted to propane, only three diesel activity buses and three older diesel mini-buses remain in service.

“After 10 years, we’ve successfully upgraded our entire fleet,” Downing said. “We now provide safer buses, cleaner air, lower fuel and maintenance costs, and better reliability -- while saving taxpayer dollars.”