 |
AROUND THE INDUSTRY |
|
|
| CLASSIFIEDS |
| » Community Transit, Snohomish Counry, WA, seeks a maintenance development instructor. [More] |
» The Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA), San Jose, CA, is looking for a revenue services manager. [More]
|
» The Ames Transit Agency (CyRide), Ames, IA, requests proposals for transit advertising services. [More]
|
| View more Classified Ads » |
| TO PLACE AN AD: E-mail the requested date(s) of publication to: ptads@apta.com. Mailing address is: Passenger Transport, 1300 I Street NW, Suite 1200 East, Washington, DC 20005.
Ad copy is not accepted by phone. DEADLINE: 3 p.m. EST, Friday, one week prior to publication date. INFORMATION: Phone (202) 496-4877. |
Consortium to Fund New Flyer Hydrogen Buses to AC Transit, OCTA; Project Sponsored by State's 'Cap and Trade' Program
|
The Alameda-Contra Costa Transit District (AC Transit), Oakland, CA, and the Orange County  Transportation Authority (OCTA) will each receive 10 zero-emission hydrogen fuel cell buses from New Flyer through the state Fuel Cell Electric Bus Commercialization Consortium.
This comprehensive initiative is sponsored  by an $8.5 million grant from the California Air Resources Board (CARB) through California Climate Investments, a statewide program that puts billions of cap-and-trade dollars to work reducing greenhouse gas emissions, strengthening the economy and improving public health and the environment—particularly in disadvantaged communities. |
The goal is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and local tailpipe emissions and improve the environment and health for some of the state’s most vulnerable communities.
Both AC Transit and OCTA have previous experience with fuel cell buses. AC Transit unveiled its first fleet of zero-emission, hydrogen fuel cell electric buses in 2005 and now operates 13 of the buses, which have provided more than 1.8 million miles of service and carried more than 15 million passengers. Linde North America currently operates two hydrogen production and dispensing stations for AC Transit’s hydrogen fleet.
OCTA’s one current hydrogen fuel cell bus entered service last year as part of a two-year demonstration project funded by FTA under the National Fuel Cell Bus Program and fueled at the University of California, Irvine. OCTA also operates a fleet of almost 530 natural gas-powered buses.
“We are excited to receive this new award of innovative green technology buses,” said AC Transit Board Member H.E. Christian Peeples. “AC Transit has already operating a small fleet of next-generation buses and this award will allow for a dramatic leap forward in meeting the Advanced Clean Transit Regulations target of operating all zero-emission buses by the year 2040.”
Additionally, the Bay Area Air Quality Management District is providing $1 million for the project, which will deploy the hydrogen fuel cell buses in the AC Transit service area and make upgrades to an existing hydrogen fueling station at AC Transit’s Emeryville operating division. The agency is also providing local funds and funding from bridge tolls through the Metropolitan Transportation Commission.
The South Coast Air Quality Management District will fund an additional $1 million toward OCTA’s buses and a new hydrogen fueling station, with the agency providing an approximately $10 million match. Each bus costs approximately $1.2 million.
OCTA Chairman Michael Hennessey said, “I’m proud to say that OCTA continues to proactively make a positive impact on the environment. We’re excited to further our efforts to provide cleaner transportation options for all Orange County residents and visitors.”
New Flyer has partnered with Ballard Power Systems in the design and installation of the fuel cell power plant in each of the 40-foot buses. The consortium aims to have all the buses delivered and in service for everyday use by December 2018.
Hydrogen fuel cell electric buses are powered by oxygen and hydrogen, which are combined to produce electricity, heat and water. The buses use fuel cells to convert chemical energy stored by hydrogen fuel into electricity. As the zero-emission fuel cell electric buses operate, they will emit only water, creating cleaner air and a healthier environment.
|
