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.