Wave of the future connects Palo Alto and the Eastridge Transit Center

What: As part of a VTA/SamTrans joint zero-emission bus test program, three ZEBs are in transit service on selected VTA routes. The ZEB is powered by a fuel-cell that converts hydrogen gas and oxygen into electricity to power the bus and emits no harmful pollutants into the air.

ZEBs are low-floor, 40-foot buses that have standard equipment, including air conditioning, ramps for ADA accessibility, destination signs, and audio systems, which are all powered by electricity generated by the fuel-cell.

When: During the month of September, the ZEB will operate as extra service and run weekdays from approximately 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.  All regular service will still operate.

Where: Through the month of September, passengers can experience first hand hydrogen power on VTA Bus Lines 22, 102, 62 and 71. VTA Bus Line 22, the backbone of VTA’s transit system, runs from Palo Alto through Mountain View, Sunnyvale, Santa Clara and San Jose to the Eastridge Transit Center.  VTA Express Bus Line 102 runs through Silicon Valley from the Santa Teresa Light Rail Station to Page Mill and El Camino in Palo Alto.  VTA Bus Line 62 serves the Penitencia Creek Transit Center, San Jose Flea Market, San Jose City College, and Santa Clara Valley Medical Center in San Jose, the Prune Yard Shopping Center in Campbell, and the Good Samaritan Hospital in Los Gatos. VTA Bus Line 71 serves the Great Mall/Main Transit Center, the East Hills area, and the Eastridge Transit Center. 

Who: The key funding partners in the Zero-Emission Bus Program are the Federal Transit Administration (FTA), the Bay Area Air Quality Management District (BAAQMD), Department of Energy (DOE), SamTrans and VTA.

Why: The purpose of the Zero-Emission Bus Program is to explore the feasibility of using zero-emission fuel-cell technology buses in everyday mass transit service with the overall goals of reducing our dependence on fossil fuels, reducing greenhouse gases, improving air quality, and lastly improving the health and quality of life of our communities.   Hydrogen power is taking a step closer to becoming a possible fuel source for the public transportation industry. 

Background:

2000 Measure A

The 2000 Measure A package of transit improvements was approved by Santa Clara County voters in November 2000 by a 70.3% majority and authorized a 30-year, 1/2 cent sales tax to begin in 2006.   Measure A supports the Valley Transportation Plan (VTP) and Expenditure Program, a long-range transportation planning effort focused on addressing the Valley’s transportation needs.  VTP provides a balanced transportation system consisting of transit, roadway, bicycle, and pedestrian improvements.  The revenue from Measure A enables approximately $2 billion in future state and federal funds to be directed towards these projects. The Zero-Emission Bus Program is one of the 2000 Measure A projects.

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About VTA
Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) is an independent special district responsible for bus, light rail and paratransit operations; congestion management; specific highway improvement projects; and countywide transportation planning. As such, VTA is both an accessible transit provider and multi-modal transportation planning organization involved with transit, highways and roadways, bikeways and pedestrian facilities.

For more information about VTA services, call VTA Customer Service at (408) 321-2300, (408) 321-2330 (TDD only). Or, log on to www.vta.org.