The San Mateo County Transit District Board of Directors has approved the purchase of up to 108 hydrogen fuel cell electric buses to be operated by SamTrans in San Mateo, California.
This will mark the largest zero-emission bus purchase in the transit agency’s history. It will thus significantly advance SamTrans’ goal of transitioning its fleet entirely away from diesel by 2034.
SamTrans will have 17 battery electric buses in service by the end of this month thanks to previous orders with New Flyer of America from June 2022 and August 2022.
Its first 10 hydrogen fuel cell electric buses will then be launched later this winter.
Board of Directors Chair Josh Powell said:We’re very excited about expanding the use of these zero-emission vehicles. The buses proposed for purchase have a range of 300 miles or more when fully fueled, which will meet or exceed the route needs within the district.
The new fuel cell electric buses will replace 16- to 17-year-old diesel buses that have exceeded their useful lifespan.
The contract is being awarded to New Flyer of America and has a value of up to 168.25 million USD.
