"This is huge. … People came down from Long Beach just to see it," said Mikel Oglesby, general manager of SunLine Transit Agency.

"It’s the cleanest form of public transportation ever introduced in Southern California," he said.

The H2 Power bus, which produces virtually no emissions, was immediately put into service following its unveiling Thursday morning, making it the first hydrogen-electric vehicle in the United States to transport customers.

Said Oglesby: "I say, when we get it, instead of putting in on a pedestal … put it in service.

"Let the customers see how smooth it is."

Frequent riders of Line 50, which serves Palm Desert and parts of Rancho Mirage, were surprised when the one-of-a-kind bus pulled up to Westfield Shoppingtown Palm Desert at 1:55 p.m.

"Wow," said Kim Davis of Desert Hot Springs, one of the first people to board. "This is new."

One way the $600,000 H2 Power stands out from the other SunBuses is its unique coloring. While the others are plain white with SunLine’s blue, yellow and green logo, the H2 Power is sky blue and dotted with clouds, illustrating its environmental theme.

"Ride the H2 Power and do your part to reduce global warming and dependence on fossil fuels," reads one of the signs in the bus.

Jose Estrada of Indio, who rides Line 50, said he knew right away this bus was different.

"It’s a pleasure," he said. "No noise. It doesn’t bump."

The bus is quiet, despite a V10 Ford engine, and it’s smooth. It accelerates from a dead stop faster than SunLine’s other buses and it does so without the bouncing and jerking typical of a bus ride. Its top speed is about 55 miles per hour.

"It’s like a big golf cart," Oglesby said.

Hydrogen and electricity

The H2 Power is special in how it uses hydrogen energy. It is powered by a combustion engine, not a fuel cell.

Hydrogen stored in tanks in the roof power the Ford engine, which, in turn, powers a generator. The generator powers the electric drive system.

Officials estimate the innovative power system will reduce hazardous emissions by 99.9 percent.

"It’s another historical date in the history of SunLine," said agency chairman Dick Kelly. "We are world famous for being the leader in the development of alternative fuels."

SunLine’s fleet of buses run either on compressed natural gas or are hybrids powered by 80 percent compressed natural gas and 20 percent hydrogen.

Oglesby said the H2 Power represents a major step forward in hydrogen power technology. He expects in the coming weeks public transit directors from around the country will be calling SunLine for information on the bus.

No extra charge

The H2 Power will be in the Coachella Valley until Jan. 10. Then it will be sent to the Canadian province of Manitoba for cold-weather tests. It will resume SunBus service in March.

The bus will continue to serve Line 50, which runs by Westfield Shoppingtown, Eisenhower Medical Center and The River shopping center. Riding the H2 Power won’t cost more than any other SunBus: $1 for a regular fare, 25 cents for a transfer, 50 cents for seniors or the disabled.

SunLine, founded in 1977, is based in Thousand Palms and operates a fleet of 47 buses and 23 para-transit vehicles. Each year, it logs about 4 million miles serving the valley.