Part of the year-long study will be to see how the bus tests in a cold environment, as it has only been run in warmer climates, according to MTA officials.
Flint, Mich.'s Mass Transportation Authority (MTA) unveiled the launch of a Proterra hydrogen fuel cell vehicle pilot program. Part of the year-long study will be to see how the bus tests in a cold environment, as it has only been run in warmer climates, according to MTA officials.
The bus, which seats 35 passengers, will be tested on different routes in the city of Flint. Part of the study includes checking the vehicle’s fuel consumption as well. The vehicle is highly technical and will be monitored by an on-site Proterra mechanic.
Usage of the bus is the result of a collaborative partnership under the National Fuel Cell Bus Program, a Federal Transit Administration program aimed at energizing the transit industry by investing in zero-emission hydrogen fuel-cell buses.
Built on top of Proterra’s standard electric recharge technology, the onboard batteries keep the bus running throughout the service day. Each fuel cell system can independently power the bus on a majority of transit routes, providing additional system reliability. The hydrogen fuel used is produced through steam reforming natural gas. One kilogram of hydrogen has an energy content of 116,000 BTU, equivalent to one gallon of gas.
This hydrogen source can have a well-to-pump energy efficiency of 75 percent. Combined with a bus efficiency approaching 50 percent, the bus uses the energy in natural gas more efficiently than a conventional bus running on natural gas.
The vehicle's top speed is 55 mph, and with the battery and hydrogen has a range of 280 miles. The range using the battery is 30 miles.
The upgraded system, which went live earlier this month, supports METRO’s METRONow vision to enhance the customer experience, improve service reliability, and strengthen long-term regional mobility.
CEO Nat Ford’s address offered a look at highlights from 2025, with a focus on the future and the innovative ways the JTA is shaping mobility in Northeast Florida.
Expected to enter service in 2029, these locomotives support the agency’s commitment to offer reliable and efficient rail transportation across South Florida.
Transit agencies depend on safe, reliable vehicles to deliver consistent service. This eBook examines how next-generation fleet software helps agencies move from reactive processes to proactive operations through automated maintenance, real-time safety insights, and integrated data. Learn how fleets are improving uptime, safety outcomes, and operational efficiency.
The new filters include substantially more activated carbon than traditional HVAC filters, which is especially helpful in providing a better transit riding experience for vulnerable populations, particularly children, seniors, and people with chronic illnesses, according to the CTA.
In a recent episode of METROspectives, LYT CEO Timothy Menard discusses how artificial intelligence, cloud connectivity, and real-time data are transforming traffic management, boosting bus reliability, and enabling system-wide transit optimization across cities.
