The city of Pasadena has authorised the purchase of 17 new fuel cell electric buses, set to begin service in spring 2027, as part of its transition to a zero-emission public transit fleet.
The vehicles mark Pasadena Transit’s first multivehicle zero-emission order. Until now, the authority had only introduced individual electric models, including its first battery-electric bus in May 2025 and an upcoming zero-emission “Dial-A-Ride” service later this year. Once delivered, the new fleet will mean that 46% of Pasadena Transit’s buses are powered by either batteries or hydrogen fuel cells.
The purchase is part of a broader $150.7 million project to expand and decarbonise transit operations, supported by about $100 million in grant funding from the city’s Department of Transportation. The programme also includes a new operations and maintenance facility, due to open in 2028, and a hydrogen fueling station, expected in 2027.
Pasadena DOT Director Joaquin Siques said the effort reflects years of planning. “To have almost 50 per cent of our fleet transitioned to zero emission by 2028 is a huge accomplishment, especially for an agency of our size,” he said. The city aims to transition its dial-a-ride service entirely to zero emissions by 2030, and its full bus fleet by 2037.
