© Stadler
The first hydrogen-powered passenger train service in the United States will enter commercial operation on Saturday, 13 September, in San Bernardino, California.
The San Bernardino County Transportation Authority (SBCTA) will deploy the Stadler-built FLIRT H2 train, branded the Zero Emission Multiple Unit (ZEMU), on the nine-mile Arrow Metrolink corridor between San Bernardino and Redlands. Passengers will be offered free rides on the inaugural day.
Regulatory and market context
The launch follows more than a year of testing to meet Federal Railroad Administration standards, with the train now the only self-powered zero-emission passenger service cleared for operation in North America. While hydrogen fuel cell trains have already been demonstrated elsewhere in the region — most notably Alstom’s Coradia iLint in Québec in 2023 — Saturday’s launch marks the start of a scheduled service in the US.
Hydrogen in rail remains at an early stage compared to Europe, where multiple networks in Germany and France already run such services, but the San Bernardino deployment underlines growing US interest in alternatives to diesel on non-electrified routes.
Technical details of the FLIRT H2
Ordered in 2019 and manufactured in Switzerland, the ZEMU houses hydrogen tanks and 12 fuel cells of 100kW each in a central “Powerpack,” producing 1.2MW of power and supplementing onboard batteries. The two-car unit seats 108 passengers and can reach speeds of up to 130km/h, with regenerative braking and operational capability in temperatures up to 49°C.
Stadler highlighted the FLIRT H2’s performance record, having run 1,742 miles without refuelling during trials in Colorado, a Guinness World Record. SBCTA has also partnered with Air Liquide to construct a dedicated hydrogen refuelling facility at the Arrow Maintenance Facility, providing the infrastructure required for daily operation.
Local authority perspective
“Saturday will mark a historic day for SBCTA,” said board president Rick Denison. “ZEMU is proof of our commitment to improving regional air quality, embracing innovation, and expanding clean-air transit options throughout the county.”
Implications for US hydrogen transport
For policymakers, the project provides a live case study in both the operational viability of hydrogen trains and the economics of building fuelling infrastructure. If the service proves reliable, it could encourage further procurement by US transit agencies, providing a foothold for hydrogen in passenger rail and a potential new market for suppliers navigating the sector’s shift away from fossil fuels.
