Hydrogen Fuel Cell Buses

In October 2009, BC Transit celebrated the arrival of the first of 20 hydrogen fuel cell buses. In January 2010, all 20 buses arrived in Whistler, and the Whistler Transit Centre, housing the world’s largest vehicle fueling station, was officially opened.

During the 2010 Olympic Winter Games, the buses helped to provide BC Transit’s enhanced Games Time transit service in Whistler. Since then, the hydrogen fuel cell powered buses have been integrated into the Whistler Transit system, representing 87 per cent of the Whistler fleet.

The hydrogen fuel cell fleet supports:

• Hydrogen Highway
• Clean Transportation Technology Initiative
• BC Climate Action Plan
• The Provincial Transit Plan

Funding

The total budget of the demonstration project is $89.5 million, covering capital and associated operating costs to March 2014. The funding partners are:

• Government of Canada ($45 million through the 2006 Public Transit Capital Trust Fund)
• Government of British Columbia ($26.7 million)
• Resort Municipality of Whistler ($16.8 million)*
• Canadian Hydrogen Fuel Cell Association ($1 million)

*The $16.8 million budget from the Resort Municipality of Whistler reflects its contributions for 20 diesel vehicles and the estimated operating costs associated, over the five-year period. These operating costs include items such as fuel, maintenance and drivers’ wages and benefits.

The incremental cost for this project is funded by the federal government, the Province, BC Transit and the Canadian Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Association. The Resort Municipality of Whistler does not incur additional costs for the project; the Resort Municipality of Whistler funds its traditional share based on the cost of 20 diesel buses.

History