Pasadena Secures $11.8 Million for Zero-Emission Buses

Pasadena Transit will purchase eight zero-emission buses with $11.8 million in federal funding, advancing the city’s shift away from fossil fuels.

The Southern California Association of Governments approved the award Dec. 4. The buses will replace aging compressed natural gas vehicles with fuel cell electric models.

The purchase moves Pasadena toward a 67% zero-emission fleet. City officials have committed to a fully electric transit system by 2037.

The funding comes through the Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement program. The federal initiative helps reduce mobile source emissions and ease traffic congestion.

Pasadena Transit Director Joaquin T. Siques announced the award. The department serves routes where 83% of riders are low-income, according to LA Metro equity data.

The new buses will improve air quality in the San Gabriel Valley. They will serve communities designated as Equity Focus areas.

The transit system recently played a critical role during the 2025 Eaton Fire. Buses evacuated hundreds of vulnerable residents from the wildfire zone.

That emergency response highlighted the system’s importance to community resilience. The zero-emission transition aligns with regional sustainability goals.

Details about the fleet conversion are available at https://bit.ly/PasadenaZEB.