California is working hard to make trains better for the environment, and the San Bernardino County Transportation Authority (SBCTA) is helping lead the way. Recently, SBCTA joined the California State Transportation Agency (CalSTA) and Metrolink to welcome transportation leaders from Japan’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT). Together, they’re exploring new ways to make rail travel cleaner and more energy-efficient.
The event, held at the Japanese American National Museum in Los Angeles, brought together experts from both countries. Their goal was to share ideas and plans for high-speed rail, urban transit, and new ways to power trains without pollution. Japan is already a world leader in rail technology, and California is excited to learn from them while sharing its own progress.
One of the biggest highlights of the visit was a special train demonstration hosted by SBCTA and Metrolink. They introduced the Zero-Emission Multiple Unit (ZEMU) passenger train, the first hydrogen-powered train in North America that meets federal safety standards. Instead of using fuel that pollutes the air, this train runs on hydrogen and batteries, producing only water vapor.
SBCTA President and Metrolink Board Director Ray Marquez shared why this is so important: “The Transportation Authority is exceptionally proud of our efforts to develop and deliver the nation’s first fully compliant zero-emission multiple unit. Partnering with transportation leaders like CalSTA and Metrolink goes a long way to our ability to be at the forefront of a cleaner tomorrow.”
Japan is also working toward cleaner train technology as part of its goal to become carbon-neutral by 2050. MLIT Director Kobayashi Nobuyuki emphasized that learning from each other will help both countries move forward: “Since MLIT and CalSTA share a common goal of achieving carbon neutrality, it is beneficial for both sides to learn from each other’s knowledge and efforts about rail decarbonization.”