 THOUSAND PALMS, CA – (May 31, 2006) – SunLine Transit Agency honored Congresswoman Mary Bono today at a special ceremony at its offices in Thousand Palms attended by approximately 100 community and business leaders and SunLine’s 10-member Board of Directors. SunLine Transit Agency General Manager C. Mikel Oglesby presented Bono with a crystal key to honor her for her efforts in opening the door to the practical application of hydrogen powered transportation. Bono was instrumental in helping SunLine obtain $800,000 in grant funding for its new Zero Emission Hydrogen Fuel Cell Bus which has been in service since December 2005. She also has been an ardent supporter of SunLine’s innovative work in the hydrogen field for many years.
“Congresswoman Bono helped the Coachella Valley receive the most advanced mass transit bus on the market today with our new Zero Emission Hydrogen Fuel Cell Bus. She also helped us secure funding for our first Hydrogen Hybrid bus in 2003 and assisted us in obtaining grants so we could build an on-site hydrogen fueling station. She’s been a key player in helping us put hydrogen power into motion. We are very grateful for her continued support,” said Oglesby. “I am very impressed with SunLine’s work in alternate fueled transportation. They are clearly a leader in hydrogen technology,” said Bono. “It’s exciting to see Coachella Valley residents enjoying quality public transportation that also contributes to our quality of life with its zero emissions.”
 To ensure that all Coachella Valley residents have the opportunity to experience the new, ultra quiet Zero Emission Fuel Cell Bus, SunLine Transit Agency is offering free rides on this bus now through Labor Day weekend. Bono also received a plaque from CalSTART, one of the funding partners of the new SunLine Zero Emission Hydrogen Fuel Cell Bus recognizing her “leadership in advanced transportation and fuel cell buses.”
“With rising oil prices, alternate fueled transportation is more important than ever,” commented Oglesby. “We are proud to be in the driver’s seat of this new technology. The infrastructure we have built at SunLine and our experience has poised us to be part of research which will help pave the way toward fuel cell commercialization,” stated Oglesby.
Currently SunLine is working in partnership with several agencies to obtain grant funding for the next generation of fuel cell technology, including work toward a 15,000 and 20,000 hour fuel cell.
ABOUT SUNLINE TRANSIT AGENCY
Established in 1977 and based in Thousand Palms, CA, SunLine Transit Agency has emerged as one of the nation’s leaders in embracing and promoting the use of clean-fuel for public transit. From 2000 to the present, SunLine has demonstrated three versions of heavy-duty hydrogen hybrid fuel cell buses with great success. In April 2000, SunLine launched its hydrogen generation facility, a first for a public transit agency. The facility has produced hydrogen by reforming natural gas and converting solar and wind energy through electrolysis. SunLine Transit Agency delivers more than 28 million passenger miles per year, with 647 bus stops throughout a service area of 1,120 square miles. SunLine’s entire fleet consists of alternate fueled vehicles, using compressed natural gas, as well as a state-of-the-art hydrogen fuel cell electric bus. For more information call (760) 343-3456 or visit www.sunline.org.
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