State and Federal Leaders Join SBCTA, Stadler and Metrolink to Celebrate ZEMU’s Innovative Technology
August 15, 2024
San Bernardino County Transportation Authority (SBCTA) is being recognized for its innovation and commitment to providing a cleaner passenger rail option for county residents and communities throughout California.
Leaders from the U.S. Congress, California State Transportation Agency, Federal Railroad Administration, Metrolink and Stadler US convened on Thursday at the San Bernardino Depot train station for a first-hand look at SBCTA’s new ZEMU passenger train.
ZEMU, short for Zero Emission Multiple Unit, is North America’s first self-powered, zero-emission passenger train that will meet Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) requirements. The train uses a hybrid hydrogen and battery technology to propel the train and power onboard electrical systems. Water vapor is the only emission generated from the propulsion system, making this a clean transit alternative.
“What we have done with ZEMU is transformational,” SBCTA President Ray Marquez said. “The development of the train has solidified SBCTA’s place as an innovator in clean passenger rail here in the Inland Empire, throughout the state and the nation.”
ZEMU was built by Swiss train manufacturer Stadler, who also built the three Diesel Multiple Unit trains that currently operate on the Arrow corridor. The diesel trains run on renewable fuel made from recycled natural fats and vegetable oils. Partnering with Stadler to develop the new ZEMU train was a natural fit for SBCTA.
“The FLIRT H2 hydrogen train is the product of a longstanding, collaborative, and successful partnership between Stadler and SBCTA,” Stadler US CEO Martin Ritter said. “We build trains for a wide variety of transit agencies, but developing this train has been especially meaningful because of the impact it will have on San Bernardino County and the way it will shape the future of passenger rail in California and across the U.S.”
When ZEMU enters service later this year, it will operate along Metrolink’s Arrow Corridor on the San Bernardino Line. Following ZEMU’s June 2024 arrival to San Bernardino, the train began its final phase of testing and integration with Metrolink’s operating systems.
“We’re thrilled to welcome this new train into our Arrow service fleet, which already operates three clean diesel multiple units using renewable fuel,” Southern California Regional Rail Authority Chairman Larry McCallon said. “It’s an honor for Metrolink to be the first service provider to offer this new train technology to riders between San Bernardino and Redlands, and hopefully beyond.”
In 2016, SBCTA received federal funding and support from U.S. Rep. Pete Aguilar to help build the infrastructure that supports the Arrow service along the San Bernardino Line.
“Improving air quality is one of my top priorities,” U.S. Rep. Pete Aguilar said. “SBCTA continues to innovate when it comes to improving the air we breathe through public transit. I’m proud of the role federal funding played in bringing the Arrow Service to local residents, and excited that the first zero-emission train in the country will operate on that line. I’ll continue to strengthen the partnership between SBCTA and our community, and advocate in Congress to bring more clean technology to our communities.”
For the better part of a year, ZEMU has undergone testing under Federal Railroad Administration guidelines in Pueblo, Colo., at the Transportation Technology Center. This is an important step to ensure the train safely enters service in San Bernardino County, while also creating a framework for other agencies to follow.
“America should always lead the way in technology and innovation, and the Federal Railroad Administration is proud to play a role in ensuring new environmentally-friendly trains are meeting safety standards and finding their way into more communities,” Federal Railroad Administration Administrator Amit Bose said. “The work being done in California to introduce zero-emission, hybrid hydrogen and battery trains into service is laying the groundwork for transformative passenger rail progress while making rail an even more sustainable mode of transportation.”
The California State Transportation Agency (CalSTA) believed in SBCTA’s vision for a zero-emission passenger train because of its potential application to transit agencies throughout the state. That belief led to CalSTA providing nearly $52 million in funding to support research, development, testing and analysis of ZEMU.
“Cleaner air, quieter trains and extra space on board are just a few of the outstanding benefits these hydrogen-powered passenger trains bring to the people of California,” said California Transportation Secretary Toks Omishakin. “We are thankful for this partnership as we work to advance our ambitious climate goals and, with Caltrans, put 10 more zero-emission trains in motion, providing much-needed intercity rail service throughout California.”
The ZEMU train is easy to spot with its signature blue and white water-vapor design wrapped around the train’s two passenger cars and center power pack where the hydrogen and battery propulsion system is located.
In the coming weeks, ZEMU will begin running test routes on Metrolink’s Arrow Corridor along the San Bernardino Line with a goal of safe entry into service later this year.
Learn more about ZEMU and the Arrow line here.
