Earth Day Celebration Set at SunLine Transit

THOUSAND PALMS — SunLine Transit Agency is holding an Earth Day celebration at its headquarters in Thousand Palms on Monday, April 22nd. The public is welcome.

The itinerary of events for the celebration is as follows:

• 10 a.m.  Press Conference unveiling five new fuel cell buses and introducing the nation’s largest transit-related hydrogen fueling station.
• Officials from the California Air Resources Board will be present for the unveiling of the new fuel cell buses and a sneak peek at the largest Hydrogen Fueling Station in the country, which is currently under construction. The board announced the grant for these state-of-the-art, environmentally-friendly additions to SunLine Transit Agency’s commitment to clean air technologies,
• Attendees of the news conference will be able to ride one of the new fuel cell buses to the rest of the day’s Celebration – which will be held at the SunLine Learning Center.
• 10:30 a.m. Tours of SunLine’s Learning Center begin. An Environmental Exhibitors Fair featuring local organizations committed to helping consumers and businesses “go green” including Desert Arc’s Recycling Program, Desert Water Agency, Coachella Valley Water District, SunCommute, Kiewit, Burrtec, Mission Springs Water District, Planet Solar, Ballard and Renova Solar, among others. The fair and tours will run until 2 p.m. Those wishing to RSVP for a Learning Center tour can do so by clicking here.
• 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Light Lunch & Earth Day Treats (while supplies last)
• 2 p.m. Event Wrap-up

“We are excited to welcome the public to our Agency headquarters to celebrate Earth Day with us,” Lauren Skiver, CEO/General Manager of SunLine Transit Agency, said  in a prepared statement. “In addition to some groundbreaking announcements we have to share about how SunLine is continuing its commitment to clean air throughout the region, we’re embracing this day with millions of others worldwide as an opportunity to really look at ways we can all ‘go green’ together and be united in efforts that will help our planet.”

Additional Background:

SunLine Transit Agency began its mission to incorporate clean fuels into its fleet 25 years ago, beginning with 40 buses fueled by clean CNG in May 1994. SunLine Transit Agency became the first 100% CNG transit system in the country.

Since then, the Agency has been at the forefront of clean fuel initiatives including deployment of several generations of hydrogen electric fuel cell buses – each of which showcased its own unique advancements in zero emission technology. In fact, the Agency put into service the first hydrogen fuel cell bus in the world to incorporate hybrid electric technology – which uses onboard batteries to substantially increase the efficiency of the hydrogen fuel cell.

With the launch of SunFuels in 2006, SunLine took ownership of its two fueling stations – becoming the first-ever transit agency to own and operate a hydrogen generation and dispensing station.

On Earth Day 2019, SunLine is celebrating its latest efforts to pioneer cutting edge alternative fuel technologies for public transportation with zero emissions. The SunLine Fuel Cell Buses & Hydrogen Onsite Regeneration Fueling Station Pilot Commercial Deployment Project deploys 5 new 40-foot fuel cell electric transit buses in daily service on two regular service routes in the Coachella Valley.  This project is part of California Climate Investments, a statewide program that puts billions of cap-and-trade dollars to work reducing greenhouse gas emissions, strengthening the economy and improving public health and the environment — particularly in disadvantaged communities.

The project also includes upgrading SunLine’s existing Hydrogen Refueling Station with a new Electrolyzer Hydrogen Production Plant, supporting compression and storage equipment, and two 350-bar fueling dispensers. The station is currently under construction, with plans for a Summer 2019 completion.

For more information on the Earth Day event, contact Anita Petke at 760-343-3456 ext. 1603.

About SunLine

SunLine Transit Agency is a joint powers authority formed in 1977 to operate the Coachella Valley’s public transportation system. SunLine offers fixed route bus service and curb-to-curb paratransit for the mobility impaired. Its fixed route and paratransit vehicles travel more than 4.1 million miles per year, covering over 619 bus stops located throughout a 1,120 mile-service area, carrying approximately 4.82 million riders. SunLine Services Group regulates three taxi franchises who provide taxi services throughout the Valley. SunFuels alternative fueling station offers compressed natural gas and hydrogen for SunLine and the public 24 hours a day, seven days a week. To learn more, click here.