OCTA debuts America’s largest hydrogen bus fuelling station

Credit: Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA)

As part of a $22.9 million investment, the Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) has joined with local, state and federal officials to mark the debut of the largest transit-operated hydrogen fuelling station in the U.S. and 10 new hydrogen fuel cell electric buses.

“We are very happy to be leading the way toward a cleaner and greener future that keeps the residents of Orange County moving, while keeping the air they breathe healthy with zero emissions,” said OCTA Chairman, Steve Jones.

The new hydrogen fuelling station was unveiled at OCTA’s Santa Ana Bus Base. OCTA officials were joined at the event by representatives from the partners in the project, including the California Air Resources Board (CARB), South Coast Air Quality Management District and Center for Transportation and the Environment (CTE).

“We are proud to be working with all of our partners to set a strong example as a large urban transit operator making a positive impact on the environment,” said OCTA CEO, Darrell E. Johnson. “We will continue to explore the use of zero-emission technology to ensure we deliver a balanced and sustainable transportation system for Orange County’s future.”

“California’s transit agencies are leading the revolution to zero-emission transportation by taking action to replace their fossil-fuel powered buses with the very cleanest models available,” said CARB Chair, Mary D. Nichols. “The Orange County Transportation Authority is among the state’s and the nation’s leaders in this crucial effort. This project will accelerate the commercialisation of hydrogen fuel cell powered buses. It also showcases today’s hydrogen fuelling facility to keep those zero-emission buses powered up and clearing the air.”

OCTA’s project is said to align with California’s Innovative Clean Transit Rule, a first-of-its kind regulation in the U.S. that sets a goal for public transit agencies to gradually transition to 100 per cent zero-emission bus fleets by 2040.