Meet the National Clean Bus Leader

Press Releases
10/29/2004

The Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI) of Washington, D.C. has recognized

six agencies

from across the country for leading the nation in deploying cleaner bus fleets.

Topping the list is AC Transit of Oakland, CA.In its announcement, EESI recognized AC Transit “for its leadership in investing in and developing advanced technologies.”

“AC Transit has long been the leader in implementing technological solutions to environmental challenges,” says Rick Fernandez, AC Transit’s General Manager. “We’re installing advanced, emission-reducing after-treatment devices in hundreds of our buses, we utilize only ultra-low sulfur fuel, and we’re now embarking on what has become the most comprehensive hydrogen fuel cell demonstration project in the country.”

Demonstrating Hydrogen Fuel Cell Technology

With $20 million in grants from nearly a dozen agencies from the Bay Area Air Quality Management District, the California Transportation Commission, the California Air Resources Board, and the California Energy Commission right up to the Federal Transit Administration and the Department of Energy, AC Transit has put together a truly impressive program. Since 2003, AC Transit has been demonstrating a prototype hydrogen fuel cell bus throughout its service area. Within the next several years, the transit agency will be adding three new, state-of-the-art zero-emission fuel cell buses to its fleet, along with ten fuel cell cars, a small-scale, onsite, hydrogen energy station in partnership with ChevronTexaco, and a “HyRoad” educational Learning Center. Presently, AC Transit operates a hydrogen fueling station at its Richmond bus division in partnership with Stuart Energy and the California Fuel Cell Partnership.

Fuel cell buses are clean, quiet, electrically propelled vehicles that only emit water vapor from the tailpipe. Putting zero-emission buses on the streets will reduce air pollution and improve the health of local residents.

According to EESI, AC Transit¹s hydrogen fuel cell demonstration program “promises to be an important indicator for hydrogen¹s integration into the nation’s bus fleets and the transportation industry as a whole.”

Developing Hybrid Buses

Thanks in part to a $1 million grant from the Bay Area Air Quality Management District, AC Transit has also begun developing a gasoline hybrid-electric fleet of 30 foot neighborhood buses. A prototype hybrid bus will go into service in 2005, followed by the as many as 10 new buses in 2006.

About EESI

The Environmental and Energy Study Institute is a non-profit organization established in 1984 by a bipartisan Congressional group to promote innovative energy and environmental policy solutions. EESI initiated the National Clean Bus Leadership Recognition Program in 2003 to highlight the leadership of local initiatives to bring cleaner buses to America’s communities and to remove America’s dirtiest diesel buses from our roadways.This program highlights the importance of cleaner public transportation in reducing congestion, improving air quality and protecting public health.

About AC Transit

AC Transit is one of the largest transit agencies in California, serving over 60 million passengers a year throughout a 360-square mile region. AC Transit is deeply committed to improving the environmental health and the quality of life in the communities it serves. By demonstrating fuel cell technology today, AC Transit is putting the whole country on the road to a sustainable future.