San Jose, Calif. — The Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA), a proud member of the California Fuel Cell Partnership, is participating in the annual Road Rally.   This year’s Road Rally, themed “Fueling the Future,” focuses on the three hydrogen fueling stations already in place around the Bay Area and the three additional stations to be added by 2006. The purpose of these events is to help raise awareness and to inform the public about alternative energy powered vehicles.

As part of a VTA/SamTrans joint Zero-Emission Bus (ZEB) Program, zero-emission buses are running on selected VTA routes. During the month of September, the ZEB will operate as extra service on VTA Bus Lines 22, 62, 71 and 102 on weekdays from approximately 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.

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, handicap accessible, 40-foot buses that have standard equipment powered by electricity generated by the fuel-cell.

The public can learn about hydrogen technology and VTA’s ZEB program at the following Road Rally Stop:

Friday, September 30, 2005
10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
San Jose State University
Paseo de Cesar E. Chavez, San Jose

This location is served by VTA Bus Lines 22, 63, 54, 65, 72, 73, 81, Highway 17 Express and 522.

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

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 Demonstration 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.