Success Story – San Marcos Unified School District

Joe Beard, Director of Transportation at the San Marcos Unified School District in North San Diego County, California was given an assignment a couple of years ago. The assignment was to implement an alternative fuel school bus program for the District.

Joe, a former military man, is a stickler for detail. One look at his existing diesel bus fleet will tell you, as all of his vehicles, regardless of age, are in top mechanical and cosmetic condition, right down to oil free undercarriages and the chrome bumpers on the 20+ year old Crown models.

Fortunately Joe had already been doing his homework on NGVs (Natural Gas Vehicles) when he received this particular assignment. Through his research, he knew that the natural gas buses were good for the environment, good for the students riding them, and good for the District. He also knew that these buses would pay for themselves!

When Joe contacted Larry Ozier, the FuelMaker authorized dealer for his area, he had already lined up funding to purchase the buses and the refueling equipment. He had also done the preliminary calculations on just how much fuel and compression he needed to fuel this new fleet.

After a couple of meetings with Larry, the order was placed for two of FuelMaker's large compressors. FMQ-10s, 6 time-fill refueling posts, and a fast-fill storage unit for back up fueling. The fast-fill is used when a bus completes its run and needs to go back out quickly on a route normally serviced by a conventionally fueled bus that is down for repairs.

The equipment was installed, and Gas Equipment Systems, Inc. personnel trained drivers on refueling procedures. Since the installation, Joe's excitement about the natural gas bus fleet could be described as contagious. His drivers bid for the routes they drive. Joe reports he has a waiting list for natural gas bus route drivers!

Joe is a strong advocate for natural gas powered school buses, and an equally strong supporter of Larry Ozier's company, his service support and the FuelMaker gas compression equipment. Feel free to contact Joe anytime for his reference. Joe can be reached at 760-736-2215 ext. 101. San Marcos Unified School District, 215 Mata Way. San Marcos, CA 92069.
Special thanks to Larry Ozier of Gas Equipment Systems, Inc. for sharing this story with us.