Montebello Bus Lines (MBL) is preparing to introduce its first hydrogen fuel cell electric buses alongside new hydrogen fuelling infrastructure and upgrades to its maintenance facilities.
The California transit agency plans to deploy three hydrogen fuel cell buses as part of an effort to transition its fleet towards lower-emission technologies while maintaining existing service requirements.
The project includes a temporary hydrogen fuelling station, a permanent station and modifications to MBL’s maintenance facilities to support the operation and servicing of hydrogen-powered buses.
The buses are expected to offer a range of 300 miles or more on a single fill, while refuelling is expected to take between 10 and 15 minutes. The combination of range and refuelling time is intended to allow the buses to operate on longer routes without the charging periods associated with battery-electric buses.
MBL serves Montebello and 14 surrounding communities, providing nearly three million passenger trips each year. The hydrogen project is intended to support reliable all-day service while reducing greenhouse gas emissions and local air pollutants.
The agencys new hydogen infrastructure will incorporate safety measures designed specifically for transit operations and will comply with applicable federal and state requirements. Transit employees and first responders will also receive specialised training.
