WEST CHESTER, PA — Chester County has begun replacing its gasoline-powered Chesco Connect buses with propane-fueled vehicles, marking a shift county officials say will cut emissions, reduce operating costs, and modernize public transit.
The Chester County Department of Community Transit has already placed seven propane-powered buses into service, with nine more expected to join the fleet in February 2026. The move aligns with priorities outlined in the county’s Climate Action Plan and Strategic Plan, approved by county commissioners in late 2021.
County CEO David Byerman said the transition reflects a long-term vision that balances environmental goals with fiscal responsibility.
“When our County Commissioners approved the Chester County Climate Action Plan, they established a vision for a transportation future that combines sustainability with cost efficiency,” Byerman said. “These new vehicles will help realize the Strategic Plan’s goals of preserving environmental gains by reducing greenhouse gas emissions, while also saving taxpayer dollars.”
County officials said propane-powered buses offer a lower-cost and cleaner alternative to traditional gasoline vehicles. According to Todd Mouw, executive vice president of ROUSH CleanTech, which developed the technology used in the Chesco Connect buses, the new fleet is expected to significantly reduce emissions of sulfur oxide, nitrogen oxide, and carbon dioxide.
“This deployment marks a meaningful step for Chester County Department of Community Transit in adopting cleaner, more sustainable transportation,” Mouw said. “By integrating propane-powered buses into their fleet, they are setting an example of how transit agencies can reduce emissions and operating costs while continuing to serve their communities effectively.”
Financial savings were also a key driver behind the decision. A 2024 study by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory found that propane vehicles can deliver first-year fuel and maintenance savings of about $20,000 per vehicle. Local officials said the county expects similar results.
Gene Suski, director of the Chester County Department of Community Transit, said the operational benefits could be substantial.
“We anticipate major cost advantages,” Suski said. “Expenses on fuel, fluids, and filters could be reduced by up to 50% compared to gas-powered vehicles, and our maintenance and downtime costs will drop as well. This is an exciting step into the future of transportation.”
Chesco Connect provides door-to-door shared-ride transportation for Chester County residents. According to the program’s annual report, the service provided more than 141,000 trips during the 2024–2025 fiscal year, averaging 556 rides per day and nearly 1.8 million miles of service across the county.
County officials said the propane fleet expansion is expected to improve reliability while advancing environmental and budgetary goals as demand for community transit continues to grow.
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