On September 13, 2025, history was made as San Bernardino County welcomed America’s first hydrogen-powered, zero-emission passenger train into regular service. The groundbreaking inaugural departure left the station at 10:32 a.m. on Saturday, heading eastbound from the Metrolink San Bernardino Downtown Station. Moving forward, the Zero-Emission Multiple Unit (ZEMU) will continue with full commuter service using the Arrow schedule on the Metrolink San Bernardino Line.
ZEMU represents a bold leap forward in clean transit. Powered by a cutting-edge hybrid of hydrogen fuel cells and battery technology, it emits only water vapor. This makes it the nation’s first passenger train of its kind to be compliant with Federal Railroad Administration standards, and epitomizes SBCTA’s legacy of innovation in sustainable transportation.
ZEMU’s arrival is the culmination of more than a decade of planning, engineering, and testing. Manufactured in Switzerland by Stadler, it journeyed across the globe from Europe through safety testing in Colorado to reach San Bernardino in mid-2024.