Transition to Zero

Being First: Foothill Transit


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Keywords

Foothill Transit, Doran Barnes, electric buses, hydrogen fuel cell, zero emission, transit technology, infrastructure, community engagement, workforce development, public transportation

Takeaways

Foothill Transit operates in the San Gabriel and Pomona Valleys of Los Angeles County. The transition from diesel to CNG and then to electric buses began in 2010. Doran Barnes emphasizes the importance of understanding the economics of electric power versus traditional fuels. Charging infrastructure is critical for the successful deployment of electric buses. The initial deployment of electric buses revealed unexpected challenges, particularly with charging frequency. Hydrogen fuel cell technology is being adopted as a viable alternative to battery electric buses. Community engagement is essential for public acceptance of new technologies. The workforce must be trained to handle advanced technologies in transit. Sharing knowledge and experiences across the industry is vital for progress. Economic viability remains a challenge for zero emission technologies.

Summary

In this episode of Transition to Zero, host Jared Schnader speaks with Doran Barnes, CEO of Foothill Transit, about the challenges and successes of integrating advanced technologies into public transit. They discuss the transition from diesel to compressed natural gas (CNG) and then to electric and hydrogen fuel cell buses. Doran shares insights on the importance of infrastructure, community engagement, and the economic considerations of adopting zero-emission technologies. The conversation highlights the need for workforce development and the sharing of knowledge within the industry to foster innovation and progress in transit systems.

Titles

Innovating Transit: The Journey of Foothill Transit Doran Barnes on the Future of Zero Emission Buses

Sound bites

"Hydrogen can do the job." "Our board was like, hey, this is pretty cool." "This is part of the experience."

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Foothill Transit and Doran Barnes 02:46 Transitioning to Advanced Technologies in Transit 05:39 Challenges of Electric Bus Deployment 08:31 Learning from Early Deployments 11:15 The Shift to Hydrogen Fuel Cell Buses 14:07 Economic Considerations in Zero Emission Technologies 16:40 The Role of Infrastructure in Technology Adoption 19:24 Community Engagement and Public Perception 22:09 Workforce Development in Advanced Technologies 25:03 Board Support and Risk Management 27:51 Final Thoughts on Innovation in Transit

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Transition to ZeroBy Jared Schnader