New York's Regional Transit Adds First 2 New Flyer Hydrogen Buses
RTS is working toward the goal of having a 100% zero-emission bus fleet by 2040, as set forth by an executive order signed by Gov. Kathy Hochul in 2022.
Since 2022, RTS has received $35.1 million in hydrogen fuel cell-related grant funding for 12 40-foot hydrogen fuel-cell electric buses, five hydrogen fuel-cell electric Ford Transit vans, one portable hydrogen refueler, and hydrogen-related facility upgrades.
Photo: RTS
Rochester, N.Y.’s Regional Transit Service (RTS) celebrated the addition of its first two New Flyer hydrogen fuel-cell electric buses — the first hydrogen fuel -cell electric buses in New York State.
RTS is working toward the goal of having a 100% zero-emission bus fleet by 2040, as set forth by an executive order signed by Gov. Kathy Hochul in 2022.
RTS Building Toward Zero Emissions
RTS’ journey to a zero-emission fleet started in 2017 when New York State announced grant funding for the first five plug-in battery-electric buses in the RTS fleet.
Since then, RTS has added 20 battery electric buses and two hydrogen fuel-cell buses to its fleet.
“Our mission at RTS is to provide safe, reliable, convenient, and sustainable transportation, and our pivot to hydrogen fuel cell technology for our buses will help us carry out that mission,” said RTS CEO Miguel Velázquez. “Hydrogen fuel-cell buses give us a zero-emission vehicle that operates much more efficiently and are like diesel buses in terms of range and time to fuel.”
Funding Zero Emissions
Since 2022, RTS has received $35.1 million in hydrogen fuel cell-related grant funding for 12 40-foot hydrogen fuel-cell electric buses, five hydrogen fuel-cell electric Ford Transit vans, one portable hydrogen refueler, and hydrogen-related facility upgrades.
The estimated cost of one hydrogen fuel cell bus is approximately $1.4 million.
More Zero Emissions
Caltrain’s Electrification Drives a New Era of Ridership Growth
The railroad’s shift to electric service has brought more frequent trains, stronger customer satisfaction, and increased ridership, earning it APTA’s Outstanding Public Transportation System award.
Read More →
Building a Flexible Path to Transit Electrification with BAE's John Hroncich
John Hroncich discusses BAE Systems’ modular and scalable approach, lessons learned from decades of real-world operations, and how agencies can identify electrification strategies that fit their fleets.
Read More →
LA Metro Board Awards 220 Battery-Electric Bus Contract to ENC
The contract, which is the largest base award of battery-electric buses by a U.S. transit agency, will be built in Southern California, sustaining good jobs as LA prepares to welcome the world in 2028
Read More →
Public Transit Conference Returning to GFX in 2027, Call for Papers Now Open
The Call for Papers is now open, allowing transit agency professionals and industry experts to help shape the PTC educational program by submitting session ideas for consideration.
Read More →
Report: Transit Bus Manufacturing Supports 34,100 Jobs, $5.1B in GDP
The “Buses Mean Business” report examines the transit bus manufacturing industry’s economic footprint, supply chain, and rising demand for vehicle replacements.
Read More →
Ohio’s METRO RTA Turns Electric Buses into Mobile Power Sources at PorchROKR
See how three Gillig battery-electric buses powered festival stages while the agency’s new Park & Ride service carried approximately 1,000 attendees, demonstrating another potential use for transit agencies’ electric fleets.
Read More →
CALSTART and Forth Combine to Form Catalyst Mobility
The new name represents a renewed vision for the nonprofit focused on advancing clean, equitable, and affordable transportation solutions that move people and goods.
Read More →
Building a Flexible Path to Transit Electrification
John Hroncich discusses BAE Systems’ modular and scalable approach, lessons learned from decades of real-world operations, and how agencies can identify electrification strategies that fit their fleets.
Read More →
California's VVTA Begins Phased Rollout of Hydrogen Fuel Cell Buses
The agency is introducing 13 zero-emission buses into revenue service while evaluating performance across its urban, rural, and long-distance routes.
Read More →
Inside Look: University at Buffalo Puts First 8 Electric Buses Into Stampede Service
UB, transportation solutions provider WeDriveU, and fleet electrification specialist Zenobē marked the deployment in the presence of students, university administrators, and local officials.
Read More →