###

The Humboldt Transit Authority (HTA) is constantly looking for new, innovative ways to improve access to public transportation services here in Humboldt County. Its latest initiative: launching the North Coast’s first 15-minute intercity express line.

The California State Transportation Agency (CalSTA) recently awarded an $18.7 million grant to the HTA to fund the purchase of five fuel cell buses and the infrastructure needed to support “high-frequency” service, with buses arriving at stops every 15 minutes or less during operating hours. The goal is to ensure reliable service throughout the Redwood Transit System, allowing riders to board without checking a schedule.

“To ensure the success of this new service, its launch will be accompanied by the installation of new rebranded bus stop designs equipped with real-time signage and lighting and showcasing local art installations, and aggressive sustained marketing campaigns that build off the marketing work HTA and [the Humboldt County Association of Governments] HCAOG have completed to date,” according to the detailed summary of the project.

The grant, which comes from the state’s Transit and Intercity Rail Capital Program,  will also help fund the first phase of the North Coast Zero Emission Operator and Maintenance Training Center, which includes classroom space, training simulators for bus drivers, mechanic training boards and various other zero-emission training tools.

The project is slated for completion in 2029. More information can be found in the press release below.

###

Press release from the Humboldt Transit Authority: 

The Humboldt Transit Authority (HTA) has been awarded a $18.7M capital infrastructure grant from the California State Transportation Agency’s Transit and Intercity Rail Capital Program.

This project will:

• Install infrastructure needed to support Humboldt’s first 15-minute frequency service to be deployed on the Redwood Transit System;
• Enhance passenger safety and experience through improved bus stop designs that incorporate real-time arrival and departure information, improved lighting, and security enhancements;
• Develop standard bus stop designs that follow current design best practices, and integrate HTA’s new RideHumboldt branding;
• Commission public art installations at bus stops; 
• Enhance the planned Eureka Intermodal Transit Center with the addition of state-of-the-art indoor and outdoor real-time arrival and departure information for all transit lines in the County, design and technology features to encourage use of the transit center as a community space, interactive and activating lighting to creatively increase safety, and commissioned public art installations;
• Kick start the first phase of HTA’s planned North Coast Zero Emission Training Center that will procure training equipment to advance HTA’s driver and mechanic training programs, construct a new training classroom, and facilitate collaboration with local high schools, colleges, and workforce development programs in support of regional zero emission vehicle training programs; and
• Procure additional fuel cell electric buses to grow HTA’s zero emission fleet in support of the new 15-minute frequency service.

“This is an incredible opportunity to expand our fleet of lower emissions vehicles, improve information for transit riders, increase frequency of service, and more. I’m thrilled to be part of the Humboldt Transit Authority team, and am so proud of our agency’s work to steadily increase the capacity for transit in Humboldt County!” - Natalie Arroyo, Board Chair, Humboldt Transit Authority.

HTA partnered with the Humboldt County Association of Governments who will provide project management and implementation support. This project is expected to contribute significantly to increasing transit ridership and decreasing vehicle miles traveled, two key targets in the County’s Regional Transportation Plan.

This project builds off HTA’s award in 2022 which kickstarted HTA’s transition to a fuel cell electric fleet. HTA is on track to receive it’s first fuel cell electric bus in spring of next year. This bus will be the first fuel cell transit bus in the nation with enough fuel capacity to drive 400 miles. HTA is currently in the procurement process for temporary hydrogen fueling to support this first bus, and for a permanent liquid hydrogen fueling station to support HTA’s additional buses planned for delivery in the fall of 2026. The liquid hydrogen fueling station will support both bus fueling and passenger car fueling. A fueling dispenser will be available to the public, providing a station that supports the Governor’s target of 200 hydrogen stations by 2026 serving light and medium-duty vehicles. HTA will also offer fueling to other local fleets interested in adopting fuel cell electric cars, delivery vans and other vehicle types.

This project also builds off HTA’s award in 2022 for a new intermodal transit center in downtown Eureka. The new transit center will be integrated with affordable housing and commercial spaces. It will support local and intercity fixed route services, on-demand services, taxis, bike and scooter share, microtransit, paratransit, and regional Amtrak services all centralized in Eureka’s Old Town district.