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. He noted that propane-powered vehicles are considered a cost-effective and environmentally friendly option, offering lower operating costs and emission reductions.

According to Todd Mouw, executive vice president of ROUSH CleanTech, developer of the Chesco Connect buses' technology, the new vehicles will reduce air pollution from sulfur oxide, nitrogen oxide, and carbon dioxide. In addition, propane vehicles can achieve first-year fuel and maintenance savings of approximately $20,000 per vehicle.

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. More than 141,000 trips were provided to county residents during the 2024-25 fiscal year, with nearly 1.8 million service miles traveled.