DALLAS TOWNSHIP – Recently-hired drivers tested out new propane school buses before the start of the new school year at Dallas School District.
G. Davis Incorporated purchased 22 new buses after it received the contract to bus students in Luzerne County’s Back Mountain.
Ron Simko is one of seven bus drivers who used to work for Emanuel Bus Line.
That business lost its longtime contract with the district.
“The buses have all the top of the line safety stuff in them, they come with automatic chains in them, they`re all propane,” said Simko. "You have to have a job. You just can`t be without a job. That job was gone, this company came in."
The propane-powered buses can only be refueled by certified workers, at a site about eight miles away from the high school.
Workers told Newswatch 16 that the propane-powered buses will be cheaper to operate and maintain, they’re quieter, created less pollution and they should work better in colder weather than diesel buses.
Following a dry run of her new route, Marena Bush said several kids came out to their bus stop to meet the new bus drivers.
“Some of them were kind of scared. Parents are obviously a little afraid,” said Bush. “I have confidence in all of us that we`re going do well."
Classes start this August 27 in the Dallas School District.