SunLine receives $9.8M in federal funding for more hybrid buses

Five additional hydrogen electric hybrid fuel cell buses will soon be joining the fleet at the SunLine Transit Agency, allowing the agency to expand its service in the Coachella Valley.

Officials said the agency partnered with the Southern California Association of Governments and it was awarded $9.8 million in federal funding to purchase and deploy the zero-emission buses.

Officials said Ballard Power Systems, BAE Systems and ElDorado National will team up to build the new buses, which will increase SunLine’s total of zero-emission buses to ten.

SunLine Transit Agency CEO/General Manager Lauren Skiver said, “SunLine continues to lead the way in the commercialization of hydrogen fuel cell bus technology. SunLine maintains its focus on becoming a Center for Excellence for hydrogen fuel cell electric buses and this much needed funding will certainly move SunLine closer to its goal.”

Skiver said SunLine is excited to be selected to host the 2015 International Fuel Cell Bus Workshop at the end of February. She said the workshop is a key collaboration furthering national and international partnerships between global transit operators, zero-emission bus manufacturers, component suppliers, hydrogen infrastructure providers, regulators, and planners.

There’s no word on when the new buses are expected to be up and running.