Blue Bird Returns to ACT Expo
Each year, transportation leaders from across North America gather at ACT Expo to discuss the future of fleet technology, infrastructure, and sustainability. ACT Expo brings together fleet operators, manufacturers, and technology providers to explore advancements in alternative fuels, electrification, and commercial vehicle innovation.
As a longtime participant in ACT Expo, Blue Bird once again joined the conversation this year, highlighting the advantages of mixed-energy fleets and the importance of providing customers with transportation solutions designed to meet a wide range of operational needs. Blue Bird offers the broadest product portfolio of industry-leading Type A, C, and D school, multi-purpose, and commercial buses, and is the only vehicle manufacturer in North America to provide diesel, gasoline, propane, and electric buses.
During the expo, Steve Whaley, alternative fuels manager at Blue Bird, moderated a panel discussion titled “The Advantages of a Mixed Energy Fleet,” featuring Eric McCann, senior director of fleet operations at Bimbo Bakeries USA, and Anthony Jackson, executive director of transportation for Bibb County Public Schools in Georgia.
Together, the panelists discussed how propane, electric, and other alternative fuels are helping both school and commercial fleets improve operational flexibility, reduce emissions, lower operating costs, and better align vehicles with specific duty cycles.
Propane Delivers Stability and Savings
One of the panel’s strongest themes centered around propane’s practicality and long-term value. Whaley noted that propane infrastructure remains one of the easiest alternative fuel systems to implement and referenced a West Virginia University study showing propane generates 96% less nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions compared to diesel.
Panelists also emphasized propane’s domestic availability and price stability. Because the U.S. is the world’s largest producer of propane, fleets are less vulnerable to the pricing fluctuations commonly associated with diesel fuel. Renewable propane was also highlighted as an emerging opportunity for fleets looking to further reduce lifecycle emissions.
For Jackson, Bibb County’s experience provided a real-world example of how a mixed-energy fleet strategy can evolve successfully over time. He explained that the district began transitioning away from diesel in 2014, when 100% of the fleet operated on diesel fuel. Today, approximately 71% of Bibb County’s fleet runs on propane, while the district has also introduced electric buses and some gasoline buses to maintain flexibility.
“The toughest part about the transition was taking the first step,” Jackson explained during the discussion. “Once you do it, it’s a win after that.”
That success has been measurable. Bibb County reports fuel savings of approximately $0.27 per mile and maintenance savings of approximately $0.23 per mile with propane buses compared to diesel. According to Jackson, those operational savings now exceed $1 million annually, allowing the district to reinvest in additional student transportation technologies and improvements.
The district currently pays approximately $1.09 per gallon for propane fuel, and Jackson noted that even without temporary tax incentives, propane prices generally remain below $1.50 per gallon.
Matching the Right Fuel to the Right Route
Beyond financial savings, Bibb County’s transition has also been driven by student health and safety considerations.
“School buses are already the safest form of transportation,” Jackson said. “How else can you make things safer for students?”
For Bibb County, lower-emission propane buses and zero-emission electric buses help improve air quality for students riding to and from school each day. Jackson added that the district intends to continue reducing diesel usage even further, with plans to shrink its remaining diesel fleet from 13 buses down to just five by the end of the year.
Jackson also noted that different fuels serve different operational needs. Bibb County currently deploys electric buses on shorter daily routes — typically around 75 miles total — where the district has seen strong performance and reliability. Meanwhile, propane buses continue handling longer-distance travel throughout Georgia and neighboring states.
The panelists agreed that a mixed-energy fleet gives operators more flexibility to select the right vehicle and fuel solution for each duty cycle. Electric vehicles may be ideal for dense urban environments and shorter routes, while propane continues to excel for longer-range applications and regions where charging infrastructure is still developing.
Commercial Fleets Face Similar Opportunities
McCann shared similar lessons learned from Bimbo Bakeries USA, which operates approximately 7,000 vehicles across its fleet. The company has utilized propane since 2009 and expects to operate roughly 750 propane route trucks by the end of the year, alongside a growing electric fleet.
Like Bibb County, McCann emphasized that maintaining a mixed-energy fleet requires balancing infrastructure, maintenance, and technician training across multiple fuel systems. One of the primary disadvantages discussed during the session involved increased parts inventory and technician readiness when supporting multiple fuel types.
However, McCann also highlighted how quickly technicians adapted to propane vehicles. “At first, there was concern about maintenance adoption,” he explained. “What’s been fascinating is how quickly mechanics became comfortable working on propane vehicles. The diagnostics and training have been very straightforward.”
One Brand, One Team, One Approach
For Blue Bird, the discussion reinforced the importance of offering customers flexibility as transportation needs continue to evolve. As one brand, one team, with one approach, Blue Bird continues working alongside school districts and commercial fleet operators to provide transportation solutions that help balance operational efficiency, sustainability goals, and long-term cost management.
With industry leading Type A, C, and D school, multi-purpose, and commercial buses powered by diesel, gasoline, propane, and electric technologies.
Blue Bird remains focused on helping fleets identify the right solutions for their operations today and into the future. To learn more about Blue Bird’s options, connect with our dealer network to discuss your fleet goals, product questions or next steps. Blue Bird and its dealer partners are ready to help identify the right solutions for your transportation needs.