New school buses in Greater Moncton will improve safety and are more environmentally friendly.
The province says sixteen propane powered buses have been purchased as part of a pilot project to reduce emissions and costs.
Spokesperson for Anglophone East Aubrey Kirkpatrick says eleven are being used in their school district and they have added safety features as well.
“These new buses come with an extra stop arm. So the buses will have two stop arms with flashing red lights. They also come with a strobe light on the top of the school bus. It is going to be really hard to miss these big yellow vehicles,” Kirkpatrick says.
The annual operating costs are expected to be $2500 lower , and the total fuel costs will be around 10 per cent lower for the propane buses compared to diesel ones.
The propane buses can be identified by a decal on the side.
The pilot project aligns with and supports New Brunswick’s Climate Change Action Plan. The plan identifies 118 action items to help the province reduce emissions and improve its resilience to the changing climate. It puts greater emphasis on renewable energy, following a co-ordinated approach to energy efficiency in homes, schools and businesses.
