Metro News Release

For immediate release: October 13, 2006

Metro Wins Two Federal Grants Totalling Nearly $14.5 Million To Create Hydrogen Fuel Cell Buses

Metro officials learned yesterday that the transit agency will receive two grants totalling nearly $14.5 million to explore new ways to make commercially viable hydrogen fuel cell buses a reality.

Federal Transit Administrator James Simpson announced yesterday in Thousand Palms, CA, that Metro was selected by the FTA to receive a share of $49 million in grants for hydrogen fuel cell buses. Metro received the largest share of the grant funds.

“Through this national program, we can consolidate–and accelerate–the process of making hydrogen buses commercially feasible as cleaner, more energy efficient alternatives,”said Simpson.

Metro and its research partners UTC Power, Shell Hydrogen, Booz Allen Hamilton, and North Eastern Advanced Vehicle Consortium will receive $8.3 million for the development of four hybrid 40-foot hydrogen fuel cell buses. The project involves advanced bus development and in-service evaluation. Another $6.1 million in grant funds will go toward the development and demonstration of two 40-foot buses - - one prototype and one pre-commercial bus - - for up to two years and includes research partners Ballard Power Systems, Shell Hydrogen, ISE Corp., New Flyer, Booz Allen Hamilton, and NAVC.

“This national fuel cell bus technology development program positions Metro as a leader and innovator in alternative fuel technology,” said Metro Interim General Manager Dan Tangherlini. Metro’s bus fleet includes 1,476 buses, and includes 414 compressed natural gas buses (CNGs), 50 hybrid electric buses, 117 clean diesel buses, and the remaining are ultra low sulphur diesel fuel buses.

The multimillion dollar national grant announcement was made possible through the National Fuel Cell Bus Technology Development Program, which is part of the recently enacted Safe, Accountable, Flexible, efficient Transportation equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU).

News release issued on October 13, 2006.