Soon, hydrogen fuel cell electric transit buses like this one will be plying Humboldt’s roads. |File photo by Ryan Burns.
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The Humboldt Transportation Authority (HTA) is always looking for new and innovative ways to improve access to public transportation services here in Humboldt County. Its latest initiative is the launch of the North Coast’s first 15-minute intercity express line.
The California State Transportation Authority (CalSTA) recently awarded HTA an $18.7 million grant to support five fuel cell buses and “high-frequency” service, where buses arrive at stops within 15 minutes during their trip. Funded the purchase of the necessary infrastructure. Business hours. The goal is to ensure reliable service throughout the Redwood Transit System and allow riders to ride without having to check a schedule.
“To ensure the success of this new service, its launch will include the installation of a new rebranded bus stop design with real-time signage and lighting, as well as the display of local art installations and marketing activities HTA It will be accompanied by an aggressive ongoing marketing campaign to build on the project,” according to a detailed project summary HCAOG (Humboldt County Association of Governments) has completed to date.
A grant from the state’s Transportation and Intercity Rail Capital Program will also fund the first phase of the North Coast Zero Emissions Operator Maintenance Training Center. The center will include classroom space, a training simulator for bus drivers, a mechanic training board, and a variety of other facilities. Other zero-emission training tools.
The project is expected to be completed in 2029. For more information, please see the press release below.
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Press release from Humboldt Transportation Bureau:
The Humboldt Transportation Authority (HTA) has been awarded an $18.7 million capital infrastructure grant from the California Department of Transportation’s Transportation and Intercity Rail Capital Program.
This project will:
Install the necessary infrastructure to support Humboldt’s first 15-minute service to be deployed on the Redwood Transit System. Improved bus stop design that incorporates real-time arrival and departure information, improved lighting, and enhanced security to improve passenger safety and experience. Develop standard bus stop designs according to current design best practices and integrate HTA’s new RideHumboldt branding. Commission the installation of public art at bus stops. Enhances the planned Eureka Intermodal Transportation Center with the addition of state-of-the-art indoor and outdoor real-time arrival and departure information for all transit lines in the county, and design and technology features that encourage the use of the transit center as a community . Spaces to creatively enhance safety, interactive and activating lighting, and commissioned public art installations. Begins the first phase of HTA’s planned North Coast Zero Emissions Training Center. The center will procure training equipment to advance HTA’s driver and mechanic training programs, build new training classrooms, and foster collaboration with local high schools, universities, and supporting workforce development programs. do. Implementing regional zero-emission vehicle training programs. Procure additional fuel cell electric buses to expand HTA’s zero-emission fleet to support the new 15-minute frequency service.
“This is a great opportunity to expand our fleet of low-emission vehicles, improve information for transit users, increase service frequency, and more. We are excited to be part of the Humboldt Transit Authority team. I am extremely proud of our agency’s efforts to steadily increase transportation capacity in Humboldt County.” – Natalie Arroyo, Humboldt Transportation Board Chair.
HTA is partnering with the Humboldt County Association of Governments, which will provide project management and implementation support. This project is expected to make a significant contribution to increasing ridership and reducing vehicle miles traveled, two key goals in the county’s regional transportation plan.
The project builds on HTA’s 2022 award, which sparked HTA’s transition to fuel cell electric vehicles. HTA is on track to introduce its first fuel cell electric bus next spring. The bus will be the country’s first fuel cell transit bus with enough fuel capacity to travel 400 miles. HTA is currently in the process of procuring temporary hydrogen refueling to support this first bus, as well as permanent liquid hydrogen refueling stations to support HTA’s additional buses, scheduled for delivery in fall 2026. Masu. Refueling a passenger car. The fuel dispensers will be open to the public and provide stations that support the Governor’s goal of 200 hydrogen stations by 2026, serving light and medium-duty vehicles. HTA also plans to provide fuel to other local fleets interested in deploying fuel cell electric vehicles, delivery vans, and other types of vehicles.
The project also builds on HTA’s award to build a new multimodal transportation center in downtown Eureka in 2022. The new transportation center will be integrated with affordable housing and commercial space. It will support local and intercity fixed-route service, on-demand service, taxis, bike and scooter shares, microtransit, paratransit, and regional Amtrak services all concentrated in Eureka’s Old Town district.
