Montebello Bus Lines Hydrogen Fuel Cell Bus Project

Montebello Bus Lines (MBL) is preparing to introduce its first hydrogen fuel cell electric buses (FCEBs) into service as part of the agency’s long-term commitment to cleaner transportation and improved community health.

This project represents an important step toward advancing MBL’s fleet while continuing to provide safe, reliable transit service for riders throughout Montebello and surrounding communities.

The project includes:

• Three hydrogen fuel cell electric buses
• A temporary hydrogen fueling station
• A permanent hydrogen fueling station
• Upgrades to maintenance facilities to support hydrogen bus operations safely and efficiently
• What are Hydrogen Fuel Cell Buses?
• Hydrogen fuel cell electric buses are zero-emission vehicles powered by hydrogen and electricity rather than diesel fuel.

Inside the bus, hydrogen is converted into electricity through a fuel cell system that powers the vehicle’s electric motor. The only tailpipe emission produced is water vapor.

These buses offer:

• Long driving range for full-day transit service: FCEBs can travel 300 miles or more on a single fill, allowing them to complete long and demanding routes without interruption
• Rapid Refueling: Refueling an FCEB takes only 10-15 minutes—comparable to a conventional diesel or CNG bus and significantly faster than the hours required to charge a battery-electric bus.
• Scalable for Growth: A single hydrogen fueling station can support a large and growing fleet of buses, avoiding the costly, incremental grid upgrades required for large-scale battery bus charging.
• One-to-One Replacement: Due to their range and refueling speed, FCEBs can directly replace diesel buses without requiring changes to routes or schedules.
• Quiet, smooth operation
• Reduced greenhouse gas emissions and air pollutants

Hydrogen fuel cell buses are already operating safely in transit systems across California and the United States.

Why is Montebello Investing in Hydrogen Technology?

MBL serves Montebello and 14 surrounding communities, providing nearly 3 million passenger trips each year. As the transit industry moves toward cleaner transportation technologies, MBL is working to ensure its fleet remains reliable, sustainable, and prepared for the future.

Hydrogen fuel cell buses are especially well-suited for transit operations because they can:

• Operate long routes without needing to recharge
• Refuel quickly and return to service rapidly
• Support reliable all-day service for passengers
• Reduce harmful emissions in local neighborhoods

Safety and Infrastructure

Key safety facts:

• Hydrogen disperses rapidly in open air. If a leak were to occur, hydrogen disperses instantly up and away into the atmosphere, unlike gasoline, which pools on the ground and can create a fire hazard.
• Fuel tanks are heavily tested and engineered to withstand extreme conditions.
• Transit staff and first responders receive specialized safety training.
• Fueling and maintenance systems are designed specifically for hydrogen operations.

MBL is also upgrading its facilities and fueling infrastructure to ensure safe, efficient day-to-day operations before the buses begin service. This project is designed not only to modernize transit service, but also to support cleaner air, improved public health, and long-term sustainability for the community.

Project Partners and Funding

This project is supported in part through funding from the Federal Transit Administration’s Urbanized Area Formula Program.

Technical support and project management are being provided by the Center for Transportation and the Environment (CTE), a national nonprofit organization with more than 30 years of experience advancing clean transportation technologies.