MENU
SEARCHThe plan to add hydrogen fuel-cell buses reflects Metro’s goal to be a sustainability leader and has the potential to benefit riders, reduce local air pollution, and help tackle global climate change.
Metro believes the hydrogen fuel cell bus pilot offers yet another opportunity for current and future Metro employees to gain valuable knowledge and skills.
Photo: Canva
Seattle’s King County Metro will explore adding up to four hydrogen fuel cell buses as early as 2026 as part of a pilot project.
Testing how the hydrogen fuel cell buses perform will inform if Metro uses them to complement its battery-electric and trolley buses, according to the agency.
The plan to add hydrogen fuel-cell buses reflects Metro’s goal to be a sustainability leader and has the potential to benefit riders, reduce local air pollution, and help tackle global climate change.
“While still delivering every day, high-quality service to our riders, we’re also leading the way to a zero-emissions future,” said King County Metro GM Michelle Allison. “We’re partnering with public entities across our region, encouraging private contractors to develop technologies, and learning and sharing each step of the way.”
Metro was the first public transit agency in North America to adopt diesel-hybrid buses in 2004. In 2020, the agency retired its last diesel-only buses.
Forty battery-electric buses from New Flyer started entering service in 2022, with another 89 scheduled to begin arriving in 2026 from GILLIG. Consequently, Metro’s employees are well-equipped in developing, implementing, and managing fleets with advanced technologies.
Metro believes the hydrogen fuel cell bus pilot offers yet another opportunity for current and future Metro employees to gain valuable knowledge and skills.
While battery-electric buses have an expected range of 140 miles for a 60-foot bus and 220 miles for a 40-foot bus, Metro said that they and other transit agencies have experienced range limitations and variability, especially in cold weather.
Hydrogen fuel cell buses have the potential to travel up to 300 miles and Metro believes their extended range has particular promise on all-day, frequent routes.
In Part 2 of a two-part conversation, AC Transit’s director of maintenance joins co-hosts Alex Roman and Mark Hollenbeck to discuss his maintenance team’s work with various types of vehicle, training, augmented reality, and more.
Read More →
Coalition leaders outline priorities for preserving bus funding, maintaining competitive grants, and ensuring flexibility for transit agencies nationwide.
Read More →
Two battery-electric buses entered service on Earth Day, with four additional vehicles expected to join the fleet this summer. Seven more buses are planned for the end of 2027, bringing Metro’s total zero-emission fleet to 13.
Read More →
Agencies from California to New York offered fare-free rides, community cleanups, and new tools to showcase transit’s role in cutting emissions.
Read More →
A 5% rise in deliveries and a surge in zero-emission buses signaled progress in 2025, but high costs, long lead times, and shifting funding priorities continue to cloud the outlook.
Read More →
The Santa Monica agency’s new charging infrastructure and fleet expansion aim to improve air quality, equity, and long-term system resilience.
Read More →
In Part 1, Blandon shares his journey from the U.S. Marines to a leadership role in public transit, along with insights on mentorship and professional growth within the industry.
Read More →
Sustainability Partners’ Arnold Albiar discusses how a service-based approach is helping airports and public agencies deploy and manage electric fleets more efficiently.
Read More →
NYSERDA funding will support electric microtransit and secure bike storage to improve first- and last-mile connections across downstate New York.
Read More →
In this conversation, TBC’s Executive Director Ed Redfern, President Corey Aldridge, and Washington Representative Joel Rubin outline the coalition’s key policy priorities, the challenges facing transit agencies, and how industry stakeholders can work together to strengthen the voice of bus transit at the federal level.
Read More →