ChesCo Connect Drives into the Future with Propane Buses
February 2026
The Chester County Department of Community Transit has begun replacing existing gasoline-powered Chesco Connect buses with new vehicles powered by propane.
According to Chester County CEO David Byerman, the move to new vehicles aligns with key priorities in the County's Climate Action Plan and Strategic Plan.
"When our County Commissioners approved the Chester County Climate Action Plan in late 2021, 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."
Propane-powered vehicles provide a cost-effective and environmentally friendly alternative to gas, offering lower operating costs and dramatic emission reductions.
According to Todd Mouw, executive vice president of ROUSH CleanTech, developers of the Chesco Connect buses' technology, the new vehicles will reduce air pollution from 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," said Mouw. "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."
According to a 2024 study by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, propane vehicles can achieve first-year fuel and maintenance savings of approximately $20,000 per vehicle.
Gene Suski, Director of the Chester County Department of Community Transit, looks forward to the operational savings.
"We anticipate major cost advantages," said Suski. "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."
Chester County has placed seven new propane buses into service already, with another nine expected to join the fleet in February 2026.
Chesco Connect is the County's community transit program, specializing in door-to-door shared ride transportation for residents of Chester County. According to their annual report, more than 141,000 trips were provided to county residents during the 2024/2025 fiscal year. This averages to 556 rides per day, with nearly 1.8 million service miles traveled during the year.