VALDOSTA — The Valdosta City Schools’ transportation department took a big step towards helping the environment by receiving their first propane bus.

A total of ten more buses were presented to the Valdosta Board of Education in March, and their decision to purchase them will be made on April 13, during the next board meeting.

In addition to the purchase, the VCS transportation department received training on how to run the buses by Blue Bird and AmeriGas. The bus will be refueled by AmeriGas on-site, or wherever the bus is stationed.

The new buses are expected to save $.37 per mile on fuel and will have lower engine maintenance repair costs. Propane engines are less expensive in maintenance than the current diesel engines being used.