Welcome to Transition to Zero, the definitive series bringing you into the facets of integrating innovative and emerging technologies into your fleet systems, brought to you in partnership with the Community Transportation Association of America (CTAA) and non-profit technical consultancy CALSTART.

In this 7-part series, host Jared Schnader and the special guests presenting at the CTAA webinars are navigating through the intricacies of Fleet Transition Plans (FTPs), the crucial roadmaps that aid organizations in construction, funding, and upgrades while adopting low- or zero-emission technologies.

🎙 Part 4: Aligning Fleet Transition Plans with Policy

In Part Four, we explore the intersection of policy and FTPs with Pete Gould, Senior Vice President at Boundary Stone Partners, and Orville Thomas, CEO of the California Mobility Center. With policies playing a pivotal role in shaping the trajectory of fleet transitions, being informed, engaged, and aligned is essential for every transit agency. Join CTAA, CALSTART, and Boundary Stone representatives as they discuss the influence of federal and state policies on fleet transitions. Part Four will guide transit agencies on effective policy engagement, emphasizing alignment with local, state, and federal policies, particularly for your Low or No Emission Vehicle Program applications. Learn how to align your agency's goals with current guidelines and engage with policymakers to advocate for successful transitions.

📚 Series Overview: This enlightening series is conceived with a vision to empower you with a comprehensive understanding and confidence to utilize FTPs effectively, irrespective of whether your transition is imminent in 5 years or projected in 50 years. The series elucidates each element of the FTP, providing listeners with nuanced discussions and unfiltered insights into each topic.

🌟 Special Features: Immersive, special episodes with detailed discussions surrounding the CTAA member-exclusive webinar series

Unfiltered conversations with industry experts about the intricacies of FTPs

🎯 Objective: Transition to Zero is tailored to guide you through the dynamic realms of technological advancements and evolving policies, ensuring you’re well-equipped to make informed decisions and progress your fleet with assurance.

📣 Join the Conversation: Embark on this enlightening journey with us to gain the expertise and insight required to navigate your transition seamlessly. Engage in insightful discussions and deepen your understanding of how to meticulously plan and implement these cutting-edge technologies into your fleet system.

🌐 Listen & Subscribe: Tune in to Transition to Zero and subscribe to stay updated on the latest episodes available on your preferred podcast platform.

Transition to Zero Podcast

CALSTART

The Community Transportation Association of America (CTAA)

Scott Bogren, Executive Director at CTAA

Welcome to Transition to Zero, the definitive series bringing you into the facets of integrating innovative and emerging technologies into your fleet systems, brought to you in partnership with the Community Transportation Association of America (CTAA) and non-profit technical consultancy CALSTART.

In this 7-part series, host Jared Schnader and the special guests presenting at the CTAA webinars are navigating through the intricacies of Fleet Transition Plans (FTPs), the crucial roadmaps that aid organizations in construction, funding, and upgrades while adopting low- or zero-emission technologies.

🎙 Part 3: Route Energy Modeling and Total Cost of Ownership As transit agencies manage the complexities of integrating different bus makes and models into specific transit corridors, route energy modeling (REM) emerges as an essential tool to navigate these challenges. In this episode, Brian Ballschmidt, Mike Hynes, and Aditya Kushwah from CALSTART discuss best practices and strategies for monitoring and evaluating operations while accounting for all the factors that make your fleet unique, such as climate, passenger load, charging station design, and hours of operations, among other factors. They also discuss the total cost of ownership (TCO) and how to present its implications to stakeholders.

📚 Series Overview: This enlightening series is conceived with a vision to empower you with a comprehensive understanding and confidence to utilize FTPs effectively, irrespective of whether your transition is imminent in 5 years or projected in 50 years. The series elucidates each element of the FTP, providing listeners with nuanced discussions and unfiltered insights into each topic.

🌟 Special Features: Immersive, special episodes with detailed discussions surrounding the CTAA member-exclusive webinar series

Unfiltered conversations with industry experts about the intricacies of FTPs

🎯 Objective: Transition to Zero is tailored to guide you through the dynamic realms of technological advancements and evolving policies, ensuring you’re well-equipped to make informed decisions and progress your fleet with assurance.

📣 Join the Conversation: Embark on this enlightening journey with us to gain the expertise and insight required to navigate your transition seamlessly. Engage in insightful discussions and deepen your understanding of how to meticulously plan and implement these cutting-edge technologies into your fleet system.

🌐 Listen & Subscribe: Tune in to Transition to Zero and subscribe to stay updated on the latest episodes available on your preferred podcast platform.

Transition to Zero Podcast

CALSTART

The Community Transportation Association of America (CTAA)

Scott Bogren, Executive Director at CTAA

Welcome to Transition to Zero, the definitive series bringing you into the facets of integrating innovative and emerging technologies into your fleet systems, brought to you in association with the Community Transportation Association of America (CTAA) and the eminent non-profit technical consultancy, CALSTART.

In this 7-part series, host Jared Schnader and the special guests presenting at the CTAA webinars are navigating through the intricacies of Fleet Transition Plans (FTPs), the crucial roadmaps that aid organizations in construction, funding, and upgrades while adopting low or zero-emission technologies.

🎙 Part 2: Fleet Intake Forms In Part 2, we are discussing a crucial component of the Fleet Transition Plan: the intake form. Learn the substantive impacts of each input field with the guidance of this episode's guest, Mike Hynes from CALSTART. CALSTART and CTAA are discussing the relevance and importance of every input on the intake form, correlating it directly with the integrity of your transition plan. 

📚 Series Overview: This enlightening series is conceived with a vision to empower you with a comprehensive understanding and confidence to utilize FTPs effectively, irrespective of whether your transition is imminent in 5 years or projected in 50 years. The series elucidates each element of the FTP, providing listeners with nuanced discussions and unfiltered insights into each topic.

🌟 Special Features: Immersive, special episodes with detailed discussions surrounding the CTAA member-exclusive webinar series

Unfiltered conversations with industry experts about the intricacies of FTPs

🎯 Objective: Transition to Zero is tailored to guide you through the dynamic realms of technological advancements and evolving policies, ensuring you’re well-equipped to make informed decisions and progress your fleet with assurance.

📣 Join the Conversation: Embark on this enlightening journey with us to gain the expertise and insight required to navigate your transition seamlessly. Engage in insightful discussions and deepen your understanding of how to meticulously plan and implement these cutting-edge technologies into your fleet system.

🌐 Listen & Subscribe: Tune in to Transition to Zero and subscribe to stay updated on the latest episodes available on your preferred podcast platform.

Transition to Zero Podcast

CALSTART

The Community Transportation Association of America (CTAA)

Scott Bogren, Executive Director at CTAA

Welcome to Transition to Zero, the definitive series bringing you into the facets of integrating innovative and emerging technologies into your fleet systems, brought to you in association with the Community Transportation Association of America (CTAA) and the eminent non-profit technical consultancy, CALSTART.

In this 7-part series, host Jared Schnader and the special guests presenting at the CTAA webinars are navigating through the intricacies of Fleet Transition Plans (FTPs), the crucial roadmaps that aid organizations in construction, funding, and upgrades while adopting low or zero-emission technologies.

🎙 Part 1: Mastering the Blueprint In Part 1, we unfold a high-level overview of what entails an FTP and its imperative nature in today’s evolving technological and political landscapes alongside special guests Mike Hynes and Maureen Marshall from CALSTART. Join us as we dissect the relevance of stakeholder engagement, explore the multifaceted utilities of the plan, and discern how having this plan in place can unlock more funding and support.

📚 Series Overview: This enlightening series is conceived with a vision to empower you with a comprehensive understanding and confidence to utilize FTPs effectively, irrespective of whether your transition is imminent in 5 years or projected in 50 years. The series elucidates each element of the FTP, providing listeners with nuanced discussions and unfiltered insights into each topic.

🌟 Special Features: Immersive, special episodes with detailed discussions surrounding the CTAA member-exclusive webinar series

Unfiltered conversations with industry experts about the intricacies of FTPs

🎯 Objective: Transition to Zero is tailored to guide you through the dynamic realms of technological advancements and evolving policies, ensuring you’re well-equipped to make informed decisions and progress your fleet with assurance.

📣 Join the Conversation: Embark on this enlightening journey with us to gain the expertise and insight required to navigate your transition seamlessly. Engage in insightful discussions and deepen your understanding of how to meticulously plan and implement these cutting-edge technologies into your fleet system.

🌐 Listen & Subscribe: Tune in to Transition to Zero and subscribe to stay updated on the latest episodes available on your preferred podcast platform.

Transition to Zero Podcast

CALSTART

The Community Transportation Association of America (CTAA)

Scott Bogren, Executive Director at CTAA

In this episode of Transition to Zero, hosted by Jared Schnader, Duncan Woodbury discusses the intersection of cyber security and transit infrastructure, highlighting vulnerabilities and shedding light on the steps to mitigate them. Duncan is the CEO and President of Liberas, a cyber-security firm specifically honed in on utilities and their essential connection points.

Key Points:

1. Unmasking Threats in Transit: Understand how cyber threats are not just limited to large organizations but also exist within our daily transit systems.

2. Types of Attacks: What kind of cyber attacks can be executed on transit elements like buses? How does charging infrastructure become a potential target, and what does it mean for the overarching electrical grid?

3. Critical Vulnerabilities: Explore the potential interruptions to charging sequences, risks of data siphoning, and the gravity of gaining unauthorized access to pivotal infrastructure components.

4. The Art of Aversion: With knowledge comes the power to prevent. Duncan shares insights on common failure points in cyber security and presents methodologies to ward off potential threats.

5. Key Takeaways for Stakeholders: A particularly enlightening segment for utilities, transit agencies, and OEMs to understand and adapt to the current cyber landscape in transit.

As the world transitions towards more integrated and technologically advanced transit systems, understanding and thwarting cyber threats becomes paramount. This episode with Duncan Woodbury gives listeners a masterclass in cyber security within the realm of transit, making it a must-listen for everyone involved in the domain.

In this episode with talk with Karl Gnadt from Champaign Urbana Mass Transit District in Champaign, IL and Kirt Conrad from Stark Area Regional Transit Authority (SARTA) about their deployments of Hydrogen Fuel Cell Electric Buses. 

While Kirt had installed a storage tank for fuel to be trucked in, Karl took a different approach by building out a facility that can produce its own Hydrogen utilizing solar panels and selling excess power back into the grid.

This was an interesting exploration into what a transit operator experiences when utilizing Hydrogen in their fleet. There are great recommendations for the industry, specifically for OEMs, on improvements that can be made that will both extend range and decrease infrastructure costs.

Host: Jared Schnader, Senior Director, Bus Initiative Leader at CALSTART

Guests: Clinton Bench, Director of Fleet and Transit at UCLA, and Sharad Agarwal, Chief Operating Officer at Onward

Podcast Summary: In this episode, Jared Schnader discusses the future of autonomous vehicles (AVs), the intersection of electric and hydrogen vehicles, and the technological advancements in transportation with Clinton Bench and Sharad Agarwal. They dive into the return on investment (ROI) of these technologies, the upcoming opportunities at the 2028 Olympics, and how business models in the mobility sector need to adapt for sustainability. With an exclusive focus on the experiences of UCLA and broader observations from Onward, the discussion underscores the steps and challenges involved in achieving the goal of carbon neutrality in vehicle operations.

Key Takeaways:

1. University of California's carbon neutrality initiative aims to achieve carbon neutrality by 2025, and UCLA has reached about 33% electrification in its fleet.
2. One of the biggest challenges during electrification is the lack of infrastructure planning, particularly for charging capabilities.
3. Adaptive load management is essential to balance and prioritize electric charging needs.
4. Safety and cost reduction are the primary driving factors behind the push toward autonomous vehicles in transportation.
5. AVs have the potential to decrease long-term maintenance costs.
6. Challenges in AVs stem from integrating them into unpredictable environments rather than the technology itself.
7. The 2028 Olympics offers an opportunity to showcase zero-emission transportation.
8. The distinction and applications of battery-electric vs. hydrogen fuel cell technology are essential to the future of transportation, which should include a blend of hydrogen and electric vehicles.

Questions Covered During the Discussion:

1. What are the primary concerns in transitioning from 33% electrification to 100%?
2. What technologies do we need in the transportation sector?
3. How do subsidies influence the transition to electric vehicles?
4. What are the benefits of autonomous vehicles, and how do they fit into the zero-emission landscape?
5. How does the ROI look for AVs?
6. Why is the price of AV technology still high?
7. How can autonomous buses impact safety?
8. What challenges and innovations should we expect for the 2028 Olympics regarding transportation?
9. What are the hopes and realities of implementing AVs and advanced transport during the Olympics?
10. How has technology from transit percolated into trucking and vice versa?
11. What potential advancements can we expect for electric vs. hydrogen vehicles?

Discussion Highlights:

• Clinton delves deep into UCLA's experience, mentioning the university's aggressive push to electrify its fleet. Despite their impressive progress, they've faced challenges, particularly regarding charging infrastructure. 
• Sharad underscores the importance of subsidies, especially in California, to support the growth of electric vehicles. He believes fleet-as-a-service could be a promising model and emphasizes the potential of electric vehicles acting as storage batteries.
• Safety is a primary reason to pursue AVs. The ROI in autonomous vehicles comes in terms of efficiency and the reduction of labor costs. AVs have the potential to standardize operations, leading to longer vehicle lifespans.
• The technology for dedicated autonomous vehicles has existed in Europe for two decades.
• The ideal 2028 Olympics includes a robust transportation system showcasing autonomous and electric vehicles.

Overall, the discussion comprehensively shows the challenges and opportunities in zero-emission transportation. Whether it's through electrification, better infrastructure planning, or the integration of autonomous vehicles, the future of transportation is evolving rapidly.

In this episode of the Transition to Zero podcast, host Jared Schnader talks with Alex Roman, Executive Editor of METRO Magazine, about the magazine's impact on the transit industry and the push towards zero emissions. The conversation also touches on the future of Metro Magazine, the undercurrents in the transit industry, the importance of transit as a career path, and the challenges of workforce shortages and declining ridership.

Key Takeaways:

• METRO Magazine is an important voice in the transit industry, with a focus on bus, motor coach, and rail transportation.
• Zero emissions are a critical goal for the transit industry.
• Electrification is a significant trend within the transit industry, requiring agencies to plan for the shift to zero-emission vehicles.
• The transit workforce is aging, creating a shortage of workers, and therefore transit agencies should be promoted as great career paths for younger generations.
• Ridership is declining, posing another significant challenge for the transit industry.
• There is a pressing need for innovative solutions to address these challenges, and unprecedented funding is aiding this process.

Questions Covered During the Discussion:

• What role does METRO Magazine play in the transit industry?
• How is the transition from print to online media affecting METRO Magazine?
• What are the current challenges and trends in the transit industry?
• How important is the transition to zero emissions for the industry?
• What is the future of ridership in the transit industry?
• What are workforce challenges does the transit industry face, and how can they be overcome?

Discussion Highlights:

• The transit industry is undergoing a significant shift towards electrification and zero emissions, and OEMs are divesting from their internal combustion engine lines.
• Transit agencies face issues such as an aging workforce and declining ridership, but unprecedented funding is helping to address these.
• Despite these challenges, the transit industry provides a promising career path, especially for younger generations.
• Ridership trends differ across regions, with larger cities seeing a significant decline while some smaller cities remain relatively unaffected.

Despite facing several challenges, the transit industry is at a critical turning point, supported by unprecedented funding and moving towards a zero-emission future. The transit industry can address issues like declining ridership by focusing on improving the customer experience and offering more flexible, innovative solutions. The sector offers promising career paths, especially for younger generations, and has the potential to contribute to reducing traffic congestion and improving air quality.

In this episode, "Zero Emission Cutaways: The Hurdles and Opportunities" of the "Transition to Zero" podcast with Jared Schnader, Joe Meer and Frank Dopp provide a comprehensive overview of the battery electric cutaway market. They delve into their research findings on the state of the industry, its potential, and the associated challenges. Meer, the Director of Cooperative Purchasing Programs at Basin Transit, and Dopp, the COO of Fleet Maintenance Specialists, highlight that while the market is still in its early stages, it is growing rapidly, with several vendors emerging with innovative battery-electric cutaways.

The duo also shares their insights on the market's challenges, including high vehicle costs, a lack of charging infrastructure, and the need for more standardized components. However, they also spotlight numerous opportunities, such as increasing demand for zero-emission vehicles, the burgeoning field of battery technology, and potential governmental incentives.

The conversation further extends to include the state of the electric bus market, the hurdles and potentials of zero-emission cutaways, and the importance of collaboration and information sharing within the industry to overcome the prevailing challenges.

Key Takeaways

1. The battery-electric cutaway market is still nascent but exhibits rapid growth, with several promising vendors emerging.
2. Quality control and careful vendor selection are essential due to the wide quality variance among electric cutaways.
3. Significant challenges include the high cost of vehicles, the lack of charging infrastructure, and the need for more standardized components.
4. Opportunities include increasing demand for zero-emission vehicles, developments in battery technology, and potential government incentives.
5. Battery technology plays a crucial role in the performance and reliability of electric cutaways.
6. Collaboration, information sharing, and government support are vital to address challenges and ensure the market's success.

Questions Covered During the Discussion

1. What are the challenges of the battery-electric cutaway market?
2. What are the opportunities in the battery-electric cutaway market?
3. What are the key factors to consider when purchasing an electric cutaway?
4. What are the best vendors of electric cutaways?
5. What are the biggest challenges to the battery-electric cutaway market?
6. What are the most noteworthy opportunities in the battery-electric cutaway market?
7. What steps must be taken to ensure the success of the battery-electric cutaway market?

Discussion Highlights

1. The nascent battery-electric cutaway market offers challenges and opportunities for vendors and buyers alike.
2. Quality control and vendor reputation are crucial considerations when purchasing an electric cutaway.
3. Battery technology, viewed as the "heart" of an electric vehicle, significantly impacts the vehicle's overall performance.
4. The market's success hinges on addressing its current challenges, such as high vehicle costs, lack of charging infrastructure, and the need for more standardized components.
5. Opportunities such as increasing demand for zero-emission vehicles, developments in battery technology, and potential government incentives can help the market thrive.
6. Collaboration, information sharing, and government support are necessary for overcoming the challenges faced by the zero-emission cutaways market.

Episode title: The Challenges of Transition to Zero Emission Buses in Rural Areas

• Guest: Scott Bogren, Executive Director of the Community Transportation Association of America (CTAA)
• Topics discussed:
• The challenges of transitioning to zero emission buses in rural areas, including range limitations, lack of charging infrastructure, and political opposition
• How CTAA is working to help its members transition to zero emission buses
• The importance of equitable transition to zero emission buses, including in rural areas
• Key takeaways:
• The transition to zero emission buses is a complex challenge, especially in rural areas.
• There are a number of factors that make it difficult for rural transit agencies to transition to zero emission buses, including range limitations, lack of charging infrastructure, and political opposition.
• CTAA is working to help its members transition to zero emission buses by providing resources, technical assistance, and advocacy.
• It is important to ensure that the transition to zero emission buses is equitable, including in rural areas.
• Questions for discussion:
• What are some other challenges that rural transit agencies face in transitioning to zero emission buses?
• What can be done to address these challenges?
• How can we ensure that the transition to zero emission buses is equitable, including in rural areas?

• Scott Bogren on the challenges of transitioning to zero emission buses in rural areas:

The challenges of transitioning to zero emission buses in rural areas are significant. Range limitations, lack of charging infrastructure, and political opposition are all major challenges that rural transit agencies face.

Range limitations: Battery-electric buses have a shorter range than diesel buses, which can make it difficult for rural agencies to operate them on long routes. This is especially true in areas with cold winters, as the batteries lose range in cold weather.

Lack of charging infrastructure: Rural areas often lack the charging infrastructure needed to support a fleet of zero emission buses. This can make it difficult for agencies to find places to charge their buses, which can limit their operational flexibility.

Political opposition: In some rural areas, there is political opposition to the transition to zero emission buses. This is often due to concerns about the cost of the transition or the availability of charging infrastructure.

• Scott Bogren on how CTAA is helping its members transition to zero emission buses:

CTAA is working to help its members transition to zero emission buses by providing resources, technical assistance, and advocacy. CTAA has developed a number of resources to help agencies assess their readiness for the transition, identify funding opportunities, and select the right vehicles and infrastructure. CTAA also provides technical assistance to agencies through webinars, workshops, and one-on-one consultations. In addition, CTAA advocates on behalf of its members at the federal and state levels to ensure that they have the resources they need to make the transition to zero emission buses.

• Scott Bogren on the importance of equitable transition to zero emission buses, including in rural areas:

It is important to ensure that the transition to zero emission buses is equitable, including in rural areas. This means that all communities, regardless of size or location, should have access to the benefits of zero emission buses, such as reduced air pollution and improved public health. CTAA is committed to working with its members to ensure that the transition to zero emission buses is equitable for all communities.

• Scott Bogren on the challenges of transitioning to zero emission buses in rural areas:
• Range limitations: Battery-electric buses have a shorter range than diesel buses, which can make it difficult for rural agencies to operate them on long routes. This is especially true in areas with cold winters, as the batteries lose range in cold weather.
• Lack of charging infrastructure: Rural areas often lack the charging infrastructure needed to support a fleet of zero emission buses. This can make it difficult for agencies to find places to charge their buses, which can limit their operational flexibility.
• Political opposition: In some rural areas, there is political opposition to the transition to zero emission buses. This is often due to concerns about the cost of the transition or the availability of charging infrastructure.
• Scott Bogren on how CTAA is helping its members transition to zero emission buses:
• CTAA is working to help its members transition to zero emission buses by providing resources, technical assistance, and advocacy. CTAA has developed a number of resources to help agencies assess their readiness for the transition, identify funding opportunities, and select the right vehicles and infrastructure. CTAA also provides technical assistance to agencies through webinars, workshops, and one-on-one consultations. In addition, CTAA advocates on behalf of its members at the federal and state levels to ensure that they have the resources they need to make the transition to zero emission buses.
• Scott Bogren on the need for increased federal funding for zero emission buses:
• Scott Bogren believes that the federal government needs to increase funding for zero emission buses, especially for rural transit agencies. He argues that the current level of funding is not enough to meet the demand for zero emission buses, and that this is preventing many rural agencies from transitioning to a zero emission fleet.
• Scott Bogren on the future of zero emission buses in rural areas:
• Scott Bogren is optimistic about the future of zero emission buses in rural areas. He believes that the technology is improving rapidly, and that the cost of zero emission buses is coming down. He also believes that the political will to support the transition to zero emission buses is growing. As a result, he expects to see more and more rural transit agencies transitioning to a zero emission fleet in the coming years.
• Additional Highlights:
• Rural transit agencies face a number of challenges in transitioning to zero emission buses, including:
• High upfront costs
• Lack of local funding
• Complex procurement process
• However, there are also a number of opportunities for rural transit agencies to transition to zero emission buses, including:
• Federal funding programs
• Operational cost savings
• Reduced environmental impact
• Scott Bogren discussed a number of potential solutions to the challenges facing rural transit agencies, including:
• Increasing local funding
• Streamlining the procurement process
• Standardizing bus specifications
• Takeaways:
• The transition to zero emission buses is a complex challenge, but there are a number of opportunities for rural transit agencies to make the switch.
• Federal funding programs can help rural transit agencies offset the high upfront costs of zero emission buses.
• Operational cost savings can help rural transit agencies recoup the initial investment in zero emission buses.
• Reduced environmental impact is a major benefit of transitioning to zero emission buses.

• Topic: Workforce development and training gaps for battery electric buses
• Highlights:
• The transition to battery electric buses requires a new workforce with specialized skills.
• There is a lack of standardized training programs for battery electric bus maintenance and operations.
• Transit agencies need to work with community colleges and regional training centers to develop workforce development programs.
• The federal government is providing funding for workforce development, but more needs to be done to ensure that this funding is used effectively.
• Takeaways:
• The transition to battery electric buses is an opportunity to create new jobs and develop new skills.
• Transit agencies need to take a proactive approach to workforce development in order to ensure that they have the staff they need to operate battery electric buses.
• The federal government can play a role in supporting workforce development by providing funding and technical assistance.

Here are some additional points that were discussed in the podcast:

• The lack of standardized training programs for battery electric bus maintenance and operations is a major challenge. This makes it difficult for transit agencies to find qualified workers and to ensure that their current staff is properly trained.
• Transit agencies need to work with community colleges and regional training centers to develop workforce development programs that meet the specific needs of their operations. These programs should include training on the following topics:
• The technical aspects of battery electric buses
• The safety procedures for working with battery electric buses
• The operational requirements of battery electric buses
• The federal government is providing funding for workforce development, but more needs to be done to ensure that this funding is used effectively. The federal government should provide technical assistance to transit agencies to help them develop and implement workforce development programs.