Pictured left to right: SBCTA Executive Director Ray Wolfe, Loma Linda City Council Member Ovidiu Popescu, San Bernardino County Supervisor Joe Baca, Jr., City of Fontana Mayor Acquanetta Warren, Metrolink Board Chair Larry McCallon, City of San Bernardino Mayor Helen Tran, City of Hesperia Council Member Rebekah Swanson, US Congressman Pete Aguilar, Stadler US CEO Martin Ritter, City of Redlands Council Member Denise Davis, Metrolink Board Director Alan Wapner, CalSTA Secretary Toks Omishakin, Metrolink CEO Darren Kettle, SBCTA Board President Ray Marquez, Town of Yucca Valley Council Member Rick Denison, and FRA Administrator Amit Bose.
On Thursday, Aug. 15, Board Chair Larry McCallon, CEO Darren Kettle and Metrolink staff supported the San Bernardino County Transportation Authority (SBCTA) in unveiling the new Zero-Emission Multiple Unit (ZEMU), a groundbreaking development in the future of passenger rail in America.
The ZEMU, which will operate on the Arrow service connecting the cities of San Bernardino and Redlands, is a cutting-edge hydrogen-powered train and is the first rail vehicle of its kind in the United States, though similar trains are in use in Europe. Its arrival in San Bernardino has received national media attention, as its introduction on Metrolink’s system will be a pivotal step forward in the quest to meet ambitious state and federal goals for reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
The press event, hosted at the San Bernardino Depot, marked a significant milestone in the collaborative, multi-agency effort to deliver environmentally friendly transportation solutions to the region. Several distinguished speakers highlighted the significance of the project. Among them, Chair McCallon, who also serves as an SBCTA board director and City of Highland mayor pro tem, touted how the new equipment will integrate seamlessly with existing services on the Arrow corridor.
Other dignitaries in attendance included U.S. Congressman Pete Aguilar (CA-33), Federal Railroad Administrator Amit Bose, California State Secretary of Transportation Toks Omishakin, SBCTA Board President and Metrolink Board Director Ray Marquez, and manufacturer Stadler US CEO Martin Ritter. The event served as a celebration of what can be achieved through collaboration between local, state and federal partners, all committed to a greener future.
The ZEMU is expected to enter service in the coming months, following extensive testing and training on the equipment.