BAKERSFIELD, Calif. — The Golden Empire Transit District Board of Directors has approved a policy to purchase alternatively-fueled buses.

This policy will serve as a guide for the new Zero Emission Bus Plan as GET works to comply with the California Air Resource Board (CARB) regulation.

“A cleaner transit future is well underway at GET,” said Karen King, CEO of GET.

The Board approved the purchase of five 40-foot Hydrogen Fueled Cell Buses using Federal funding. The new buses will replace the 2009 buses that are nearing the end of their useful service life as defined by the FTA.

Unlike buses that run on fossil fuels, a hydrogen fuel cell electric bus is run by two of the earth’s basic components: oxygen and hydrogen. A fuel cell combines hydrogen and oxygen to produce electricity, heat and water. Fuel cells are similar to batteries. Both convert the energy produced by a chemical reaction into usable electric power. The fuel cell provides an advantage as it will continue to produce electricity as long as fuel (hydrogen) and oxygen are supplied.