San Jose, Calif. — The Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI) in Washington, DC recognized the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) as a National “Clean Bus” leader for its leadership and investment in and development of advanced emission reduction technologies. 

As part of a VTA/SamTrans joint Zero-Emission Bus (ZEB) Demonstration Program, three ZEBs have been in transit service on selected VTA routes since February 2005 and have currently operated nearly 13,000 miles. “During the life of this program, ZEB operation on VTA’s local bus routes will contribute to a greater understanding of the potential application of hydrogen fuel-cell technology throughout the public transportation industry,” said VTA General Manager Michael Burns. “Our efforts will help move this new technology closer to becoming commercialized and available to public transit systems across the country.”

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.

The EESI views the ZEB program as an important step in the integration of fuel-cell technology into the US transportation industry.   In addition, EESI also recognized VTA for its leadership in demonstrating advanced nitrogen oxide emissions reduction technologies, like exhaust gas recirculation and selective catalytic reduction, as an effort to clean up its existing fleet.

The National Clean Bus Leadership Recognition Program was initiated in 2003 by EESI to highlight the leadership of local initiatives to bring cleaner buses to America's communities and remove the dirtiest diesel buses from our roadways.   This program is part of EESI's Clean Bus Project, which encourages the deployment of cleaner fuels and advanced vehicle technologies by strengthening support for local, regional, state, and national 'clean bus' initiatives that have recognized the environmental and health impacts of conventional diesel buses and are working toward cleaner transportation practices.

The key funding partners in the Zero-Emission Bus Demonstration Program include 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.

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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.