Sustainable Transportation Planning Archives - Riverside County Transportation Commission (RCTC)

Riverside Transit Agency Takes Another Step Toward Zero-Emission Buses

RCTC — Mon, 29 Aug 2022 16:11:40 +0000

The Point: RTA received $5.1 million in federal grant funding to buy hydrogen buses

Before we know it, 2040 will be here. Why is 2040 significant? Bus operators across California will be required to operate 100% zero-emission bus fleets in 18 years. Starting in 2029, all agency bus purchases must be electric, fuel cell, or hydrogen powered.

Riverside County is working to meet this mandate. The U.S. Department of Transportation awarded the Riverside Transit Agency $5.1 million to buy five 40-foot hydrogen fuel electric buses. This will be RTA’s first set of buses that will entirely run without tailpipe emissions. Although this represents a small percentage of the entire RTA fleet, the new hydrogen buses provide the foundation toward transitioning to emission-free service.

Along with the $5.1 million award, RTA also secured a $8.7 million grant to build hydrogen fueling stations in Riverside and Hemet earlier this year and another $1.6 million to install solar panels at facilities.

Riverside County’s other bus operators also are making great progress toward the 2040 goal. SunLine Transit has been a pioneer in alternative fuels and zero-emission program implementation. SunLine currently has a fleet of 16 hydrogen fuel buses and four battery electric buses. The agency anticipates having a 100% zero-emission fleet in place by 2035, well before the deadline.

RCTC is also providing support for these efforts. Although RCTC does not operate bus service, we are helping smaller operators comply with the 2040 mandate. RCTC secured a grant last year to prepare a Joint Zero-Emission Bus Rollout and Implementation Plan for the five public transit operators that operate fixed route and dial-a-ride services in Banning, Beaumont, Corona, Riverside, and the Palo Verde Valley. The grant will fund a plan to help these smaller Riverside County transit operators decide which zero-emission technology is suitable for their communities, prepare a bus replacement schedule, identify charging and maintenance facility upgrades, and develop a capital and operating funding plan.

Learn more about bus services that operate in Riverside County.

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RCTC Receives Sustainable Transportation Planning Grant to Transition to Zero-Emission Fleets by 2040

RCTC — Fri, 13 Aug 2021 16:25:31 +0000

The Point: Transit agencies in Banning, Beaumont, Corona, Riverside, and Palo Verde Valley will benefit from grant.

To help meet California’s greenhouse gas reduction goals to reduce air pollution, RCTC applied for and received a $271,380 Caltrans Sustainable Transportation Planning grant in June. The grant will be used to prepare a Joint Zero-Emission Bus Rollout and Implementation Plan for five public transit operators that operate fixed route and dial-a-ride services in Banning, Beaumont, Corona, Riverside, and the Palo Verde Valley.

A statewide total of 169 grant applications were received by Caltrans. Of these applications, RCTC and 58 other applications were selected for grant awards.

Transit agencies across California are working to meet state requirements to operate 100% zero-emission buses by 2040. According to state officials, the transportation sector generates 40% of total greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs) statewide. The move to zero-emission buses is designed to help the transit industry reduce its carbon footprint and help the state meet its goal to cut GHG emissions by 40% of 1990s levels. The U.S. Department of Transportation estimates that one zero-emission bus can reduce carbon emissions by upwards of 135 tons per year compared to fossil fuel buses.

The grant will fund a plan that will help Riverside County transit operators decide which zero-emission technology is right for the communities they serve; include a bus replacement schedule; identify charging and maintenance facility upgrades; and develop a capital and operating funding plan. The transition to zero-emission buses will not only improve air quality throughout the county, especially in disadvantaged communities, but will also bring new training and employment opportunities related to bus manufacturing, maintenance, and infrastructure installation.

By combining efforts for the smaller transit operators, RCTC intends to promote a more consistent, regional effort and create savings through economies of scale. This joint effort will also make it easier to meet the rollout plan 2023 submission deadline.

Learn more about bus services that operate in Riverside County.

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