SamTrans orders fuel cell bus fleet from New Flyer

The Canadian manufacturer New Flyer has received a major order from California for 108 fuel cell buses. The San Mateo county public transport operator SamTrans also revealed plans to transition its fleet away from diesel by 2034.

According to bus operator SamTrans from San Mateo County in California, the new hydrogen fuel-cell buses from New Flyer will enter service over the next few years and replace old diesel buses. The contract price will not exceed $168.25 million. The first deliveries are expected “later this winter.”

SamTrans will have 17 battery electric buses in its fleet by the end of this year and will add the first of ten fuel cell buses later this winter. SamTrans awarded the contracts for 20 BEV and ten FCEV buses to Gillig and New Flyer last year. SamTrans aims to have phased out all of its diesel buses by 2034.

“We’re very excited about expanding the use of these zero-emission vehicles,” said Board of Directors Chair Josh Powell. “The buses proposed for purchase have a range of 300 miles or more when fully fueled, which will meet or exceed the route needs within the district.”

Santa Cruz also recently ordered a fleet of fuel cell buses from New Flyer, with 57 FC buses to be delivered by late 2024. A southern Nevada public transport operator also ordered the fuel cell buses, with a small fleet also headed to Pennsylvania.

samtrans.com