With Mount Rushmore and the Black Hills, western South Dakota is one of the most scenic places in America. 

Its air is also cleaner, thanks to the recent addition of environmentally friendly, economical buses fueled by propane by two regional transit agencies.

New Propane Buses in S.D.

People’s Transit in Huron and Prairie Hills Transit in Spearfish unveiled their new propane buses in May. 

The buses reduce daily operating costs by about 40% compared to gasoline and 50% compared to diesel. Further, cost savings come from reduced maintenance costs, particularly oil and filters.

But the real story is about reduced emissions. Propane is classified as a clean energy source by the U.S. EPA. 

All of the new buses emit 90% less nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions than the EPA’s strictest standard.

EPA and the California Air Resources Board (CARB) measure NOx, particulate matter, non-methane hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide, methane, formaldehyde, and nitrous oxide. 

The ROUSH CleanTech Ford E-450 cutaway chassis buses are lower in all eight measured outputs by an average of 64%.

“The new propane buses will have a positive impact on the environment because they reduce harmful emissions, especially when compared to our gasoline and diesel buses,” said Gayle Kludt, People’s Transit executive director. 

The agency now operates six propane buses, having transitioned 80% of its in-town fleet to propane in 2024.

Added Barbara Cline, executive director of Prairie Hills Transit, which now operates six propane buses, 10% of its fleet: "Prairie Hills Transit is on the cutting edge of public transit operation. We’ve done extensive research and believe that the use of propane is an excellent way to reduce emissions.”

Funding the Transition

Both People’s Transit and Prairie Hills Transit have accessed readily available funding streams to support the purchase of the new buses. 

Funding was primarily done with Section 5339 federal funding, Kludt said.

While the nonprofit agencies’ propane buses are the first in South Dakota, dozens of transit agencies around the U.S. operate them, making propane the industry’s leading alternative fuel.