People’s Transit in Huron and Prairie Hills Transit in Spearfish are employing propane buses.
They are the first two public transit operations to use propane in the state of South Dakota, according to Roush CleanTech, the company that built the buses.
The cost to use propane is less than gas-powered vehicles, the company said, and the EPA reports it's more environmentally friendly.
Executive director of Prairie Hills Transit Barbara Cline said the initiative particularly impacts places like Spearfish.
“I think Spearfish is one of those communities where we’re getting a lot more people moving in that have come from larger, more suburban areas, and they’re used to more alternative fuel types for their public transportation vehicles. We’re excited to show more people that there are other options out there,” Cline said.
Executive Director of the Community Transportation Association of America Scott Bogren said the transition is important for smaller communities around the country.
“The key thing is, around the country we don’t often think about cutting-edge technology, innovation happening in a place like Spearfish, South Dakota. And it was so great to be there to recognize and have so many people there to recognize that in fact it is happening in places like Spearfish and here’s proof,” Bogren said.
Prairie Hills Transit is ordering four more to use in the future.
