ROCHESTER, N.Y. — The state of New York is one step closer to meeting its climate goals thanks to the rolling out of two hydrogen fuel cell electric buses in Rochester.

What You Need To Know

  • Rochester’s Regional Transit Service is rolling out the first hydrogen fuel cell electric buses in New York state

  • It's part of a $285 million transition to a completely zero-emission operation

  • Thanks to the fuel cell technology, in cold weather these buses can travel up to 325 miles and refuel in just over 10 minutes

“Today we are celebrating the addition of the first hydrogen fuel cell electric buses to our fleet," said Rochester Regional Transit Service CEO Miguel Velazquez. "And these are not only the first ones in our fleet. These are the first one of any public transit system in New York state."

Rochester’s Regional Transit Service already has a fleet of electric buses, but two hydrogen fuel cell electric buses take its fleet to a whole new level.

“We have secured $35.1 million in federal grants, helping us find what is estimated, what's going to be a $285 million transition to a completely zero emission operation,” said Velazquez.

It’s part of the long-term plan to building cleaner, more sustainable communities.

“This truly is an historic announcement,” said New York State Department of Transportation Commissioner Marie Therese Dominguez, who was on hand to talk about the significance of the buses. “We’re literally raising the bar on replacing traditional vehicles with cutting-edge technology. Right now, Rochester is getting ready to roll out more hydrogen fuel cell busses in on-demand services, on-demand vehicles. Not only are they meeting the needs of the people, but they’re doing it in a way that customers are asking for.”

Thanks to the fuel cell technology, in cold weather these buses can travel up to 325 miles and refuel in just over 10 minutes.

“In the case of a hydrogen fuel bus, you have a hydrogen fuel cell that then charges a smaller battery on that bus," Velazquez said. "So, once you fuel that bus with hydrogen fuel cell turns that hydrogen into electricity, that electricity charges the battery continuously throughout the day, giving the electricity for the bus all day long."

RTS says the rider will experience a more quiet, smoother and healthier bus ride.

“There’s no emissions whatsoever," Velazquez said. "So obviously with a diesel bus, there could be instances where you have that smell of diesel. You won’t get that on this bus. It's a very smooth ride, obviously. Very quiet. So, it's something that I think our customers will enjoy very much."

“This is about living in healthier neighborhoods, healthier communities, regardless of where you live within the greater Rochester area. You've got service. And by working together, we're creating a future where sustainability is central to everyone's daily life, and our communities truly are resilient and able to withstand whatever Mother Nature puts forward,” said Dominguez, who adds, “I truly believe that what's happening in this region is a national model, that other chains that the authorities will not only follow across the nation but emulate.”