California’s Victor Valley Transit Authority (VVTA) has introduced its new hydrogen fuel cell electric buses, with the vehicles now carrying passengers as the agency begins a phased rollout of 13 zero-emission buses into regular revenue service.

The hydrogen fuel cell buses are being deployed on routes throughout the VVTA system, including Route 15, which connects the Victor Valley Transportation Center (VVTC) with San Bernardino, Fontana, and California State University, San Bernardino (CSUSB).

"This is an exciting moment for VVTA because our investment in hydrogen technology is no longer something we're simply planning for; it's here, and our passengers are starting to benefit from this today," said VVTA CEO Rod Goldman. "These buses represent our commitment to providing safe and reliable transportation while continuing to embrace technologies that make public transit cleaner, more efficient, and more sustainable for the areas we serve."

Phasing into Operations

VVTA officially unveiled its 13 hydrogen fuel cell electric buses during a ribbon-cutting ceremony on January 14, celebrating the arrival of the new vehicles and the infrastructure and technology needed to support their operation. The event brought together regional, state, and federal transportation leaders and representatives from industry partners including New Flyer, Ballard Power Systems, and Linde.

The buses are now moving from introduction to real-world operation.

Rather than placing all 13 buses into service simultaneously, VVTA is phasing the vehicles into daily operations. During this period, the agency said it is collecting operational data, evaluating performance under real-world conditions, and conducting additional testing as the buses operate throughout VVTA's diverse service area.

Hydrogen fuel cell technology generates electricity onboard the vehicle by combining hydrogen stored in the bus's tanks with oxygen from the air. That electricity powers the bus and charges its onboard batteries. Unlike a traditional combustion engine, the process does not burn fossil fuels and produces no harmful tailpipe emissions, only water vapor and heat.

The technology is particularly significant for VVTA because of the size and diversity of the agency's service area, said officials. The agency operates urban, rural, and long-distance commuter routes across the High Desert and beyond, requiring vehicles capable of traveling significant distances while maintaining the flexibility needed for daily transit operations.

VVTA’s Hydrogen Program

VVTA's hydrogen program builds upon the agency's previous investment in zero-emission transportation, including the introduction of battery-electric buses beginning in 2019. Incorporating hydrogen fuel cell technology provides VVTA with another zero-emission option designed to meet the demanding range and operational requirements of its expansive service area, said officials.

The hydrogen program has required years of planning and preparation, including vehicle procurement, fueling infrastructure, employee training, and coordination among VVTA staff and numerous public- and private-sector partners.

The agency announced that passengers will see an increasing number of hydrogen fuel cell buses throughout the VVTA system as the phased deployment continues.