It's always good to hear these stories, if only because of the healthy benefit to the kids. I like the fact that it was the health commission that encouraged them to make the switch. Link here.
School Children Boarding 'Green' Machines
Updated: Feb 8, 2008 04:58 AM
Albemarle
County has been "going green" since the trend took off a few years ago.
Now, they're using school buses to try and take things a step
further.
A
suggestion to use biofuel in the buses was recommended by the health
advisory committee. When they realized not much would have to change,
they thought a trial run couldn't hurt.
Ten
of Albemarle County's 250 buses are using the fuel to see if a switch
should be made for all buses. A B20 fuel blend is being used, composed
of 20 percent biodiesel and 80 percent petroleum diesel.
This step to protect the environment means extra work for drivers.
"We
have to go down to River Run to fuel so sometimes it takes us a little
longer than we were used to," shared bus driver Sharon Tschiderer.
It
can also be difficult to get the engines started in cold weather. "Mine
hasn't started right up on the first time. It takes a couple times. And
one of the other buses is having a lot of difficulty getting started in
the morning," revealed Tschiderer.
But once the engines crank, it's off to school as usual for the children while the county is left to wait and see.
$2,500 is being used from the school's transportation fund to cover the costs.
The pilot program started at the beginning of January. The test will run through the end of this school year.
Reported by Jenn McDaniel
