SamTrans Board adopts plan for zero-emission bus service

A plan to convert the SamTrans bus fleet to 100 percent zero-emission by 2038 was approved by the San Mateo County Transit District Board of Directors.

The state regulation requires bus procurements prior to 2026 to be at least 25 percent zero-emission. The district made its initial purchase of battery electric buses in 2018, and the plan approved Dec. 2 calls for 50 percent of SamTrans’ buses purchased before 2026 to be electric, doubling the state requirement.

Operating an expanded electric bus fleet will require major investments in charging infrastructure, including the installation of photovoltaic canopies at SamTrans’ bases to generate solar power. Overall, the plan will require the investment of nearly $500 million by 2038. The district anticipates that a combination of local, regional, state and federal revenues will be secured to fund these improvements.

“This is a bold step towards a cleaner and greener future,” said SamTrans General Manager/CEO Jim Hartnett. “SamTrans will continue to lead as we embrace new technologies, improve our operations, and ensure that everyone has an environmentally-friendly means of getting where they need to go.”