Broken Arrow Public Schools adds propane-powered buses with air conditioning to fleet

The first day of school is still a month away, but districts are already getting ready. Broken Arrow Public Schools added new, propane-powered buses to their fleet, and the district says they’re going to keep students a lot cooler this fall.

Five new propane buses

The five new propane buses are ready to roll in Broken Arrow, and they come with air conditioning, upgraded safety features, and a lot more tech than the old yellow buses you might remember.

The new propane buses hit the road in January, and district leaders say they’re already a hit.

"The drivers like them. The students love them. They've lived up to everything they said they would be," said Fleet Transportation Manager James Estep.

How the buses are different

The buses cost about $150,000 each, but the district bought them with help from a federal grant, saving taxpayer dollars while replacing older diesel models.

"The fuel is cheaper, the maintenance costs are cheaper, and they’re quieter, better for the environment compared to diesel buses," said Estep.

Each bus is also equipped with air conditioning, something the district hopes to expand across its 200-bus fleet.

"In this Oklahoma heat, air conditioning is always a plus. Consider the comfort of the driver; it makes them more attentive to the road and to the students behind them. I think it makes the students behave better," said Estep.

They also feature onboard tablets for GPS navigation, digital attendance tracking, and multiple safety cameras.

Parents say the upgrades are long overdue.

"They’ve definitely come a long way. But it’s our society. Everything's AI and technological power, so we’ve got to do better," said DeAllen Brown.

Hiring more drivers

And with seven driver positions open, district leaders hope the comfort and technology will help attract new hires.

"The people make it worthwhile coming to work here. That's some of the reasons why we show up every day, not just for the people we work with, but for the students. This is just a great district," said Estep.

The district says it plans to add air conditioning to more buses down the line. They hope to have AC in 15 more buses before the end of the fall semester.

If you’re interested in becoming a driver, click here to apply at the school district's official website.