Zero Emissions Bus Initiative

graphic showing hydrogen and hybrid

Zero Emissions Bus Initiative

TheRide is excited to announce a recommendation for a zero-emission bus project. This initiative is a significant step towards reducing the agency’s carbon footprint and aligns with TheRide’s commitment to sustainable and environmentally friendly transit solutions.

Grant Awarded to Reduce Carbon Emissions

In July 2024, TheRide received a $25 million grant from the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) to support the introduction of its zero emission initiatives. TheRide will use the awarded grant funds to fund a hydrogen fueling station, two hydrogen buses and over a dozen diesel-electric hybrid buses. The grant is part of the FTA’s Low / No Emission Bus Grant program, under President Biden’s Investing in America program.

Learn More

Photo of check being presented to TheRide

CEO Recommendation Update

The CEO's recommendation for a zero emissions bus initiative has been revised based on public comments and advice from TheRide's Board of Directors. The recommendation now includes two parts that will work together: a hydrogen fuel-cell bus project, with the addition of hybrid bus replacements.

Hydrogen Fuel-Cell Bus Project

TheRide's recommendation for a hydrogen fuel-cell bus project will span 4-5 years. This includes:

  • 2 hydrogen fuel-cell buses
  • 1 outdoor fueling station
  • Workforce training
  • 12 months of operations in all seasons

If successful, this will pave the way for a solution that eliminates all bus emissions, potentially saving about 7,000 tons of carbon emissions annually.

Addition of Hybrid Diesel-Electric Buses

The addition of hybrid diesel-electric buses allows for:

  • No infrastructure changes
  • Replacing older diesel buses with hybrid buses over the next 3-4 years, based on the Federal Transit Administration's guidelines
  • More emissions reductions sooner

Should this approach be embraced, hybrid buses will begin delivering emissions reductions as early as 2025-2026, conventional diesel buses would be phased out 3-4 years earlier than without hybrid buses, and the fleet will become fully zero-emission by 2045.

Resources

Additional Resources

In 2022, TheRide worked with its consultant, Stantec, to develop an Alternative Propulsion Bus Study. Read more on this study, learn about zero emission bus options, and view informational materials from the 2022 background research.

zero emission bus  research